Business confidence in Singapore’s manufacturing sector stayed positive in the first quarter of 2026, with a net weighted balance rising to 17 from 11 in the previous quarter, despite ongoing geopolitical and economic uncertainty. This marked the highest reading since Q2 2024, led by precision engineering (+51) and the electronics cluster (+42), supported by strong global AI-related investment and demand. Transport engineering (+8) also maintained a modestly positive outlook, due to continued strength in aerospace maintenance. In contrast, the chemicals sector (-53) remained the weakest, weighed by supply disruptions, higher feedstock costs, and margin pressures linked to Middle East tensions, while general manufacturing industries (-13) turned more cautious amid rising input costs. Looking ahead, a net 20% of firms expect higher output in Q2 2026, led by electronics, precision engineering, and transport engineering, while most companies anticipate stable employment levels. source: Statistics Singapore

Business Confidence in Singapore increased to 17 points in the first quarter of 2026 from 11 points in the fourth quarter of 2025. Business Confidence in Singapore averaged 12.51 points from 1970 until 2026, reaching an all time high of 54.00 points in the first quarter of 1976 and a record low of -57.00 points in the fourth quarter of 2008. This page provides - Singapore Business Confidence - actual values, historical data, forecast, chart, statistics, economic calendar and news. Singapore Business Confidence - data, historical chart, forecasts and calendar of releases - was last updated on May of 2026.

Business Confidence in Singapore increased to 17 points in the first quarter of 2026 from 11 points in the fourth quarter of 2025. Business Confidence in Singapore is expected to be 5.00 points by the end of this quarter, according to Trading Economics global macro models and analysts expectations. In the long-term, the Singapore Business Confidence is projected to trend around 13.00 points in 2027 and 12.00 points in 2028, according to our econometric models.



Calendar GMT Reference Actual Previous Consensus TEForecast
2026-02-02 05:00 AM
Business Confidence
Q4 11.00 8.00 9
2026-04-30 05:00 AM
Business Confidence
Q1 17.00 11.00 6
2026-07-31 05:00 AM
Business Confidence
Q2 17.00 5


Related Last Previous Unit Reference
Bankruptcies 142.00 168.00 Companies Mar 2026
Business Confidence 17.00 11.00 points Mar 2026
Changes in Inventories 1957.90 1031.40 SGD Million Dec 2025
Leading Economic Index 116.70 112.50 points Dec 2025
Services Sentiment -4.00 4.00 points Mar 2026


Singapore Business Confidence
In Singapore, the Survey of Business Expectations of the Manufacturing Sector covers around 410 manufacturing firms. These companies are asked to assess their expectation of general business conditions, output and employment for the next six months. Provided responses are then weighted by their contribution to employment and value added. The indicator is computed as the difference between the weighted percentage of positive assessments and the weighted percentage of negative responses. The index varies on a scale of -100 to 100; a value of -100 indicates extreme lack of confidence, 0 neutrality and 100 extreme confidence.
Actual Previous Highest Lowest Dates Unit Frequency
17.00 11.00 54.00 -57.00 1970 - 2026 points Quarterly

News Stream
Singapore Business Mood Stays Positive
Business confidence in Singapore’s manufacturing sector stayed positive in the first quarter of 2026, with a net weighted balance rising to 17 from 11 in the previous quarter, despite ongoing geopolitical and economic uncertainty. This marked the highest reading since Q2 2024, led by precision engineering (+51) and the electronics cluster (+42), supported by strong global AI-related investment and demand. Transport engineering (+8) also maintained a modestly positive outlook, due to continued strength in aerospace maintenance. In contrast, the chemicals sector (-53) remained the weakest, weighed by supply disruptions, higher feedstock costs, and margin pressures linked to Middle East tensions, while general manufacturing industries (-13) turned more cautious amid rising input costs. Looking ahead, a net 20% of firms expect higher output in Q2 2026, led by electronics, precision engineering, and transport engineering, while most companies anticipate stable employment levels.
2026-04-30
Singapore Business Morale Remains Positive
Business confidence in Singapore’s manufacturing sector rose to 11 in the fourth quarter of 2025 from 8 in the previous quarter. This marked the highest reading of the year, signaling growing optimism, with the electronics sector (+33) remaining the main driver, buoyed by sustained AI-related demand in the semiconductors segment. Transport engineering (+10) also maintained a positive outlook, supported by strong demand for aerospace maintenance, while biomedical manufacturing (+8) turned modestly optimistic on expectations of higher pharmaceutical exports. In contrast, chemicals (-17) recorded the weakest sentiment amid concerns over macroeconomic uncertainty, weak refining margins and oversupply. Looking ahead, output expectations for Q1 2026 were marginally positive (+6) with most clusters anticipating higher production, while employment levels are expected to remain broadly stable, with the majority of firms planning no significant changes to workforce size.
2026-02-02
Singapore Business Confidence Improves in Q3
Business confidence in Singapore’s manufacturing sector rose to 8 in the third quarter of 2025, reflecting a cautious but notable upturn after a reading of 5 in the previous quarter. The electronics sector (+30) was the main driver, buoyed by sustained AI-related demand in the semiconductors segment. The biomedical sector (+11) also turned positive, supported by higher expected orders for pharmaceuticals products. Similarly, transport engineering (+13) remained optimistic, led by strong demand in aerospace maintenance, repair, and overhaul activities. In contrast, precision engineering (-35) posted the weakest outlook as firms reported delayed customer orders amid global uncertainty, while chemicals (-4) stayed subdued due to weak demand and maintenance shutdowns. Meanwhile, output expectations for Q4 turned positive (+7), with most clusters anticipating higher production, though employment levels are expected to stay broadly stable.
2025-10-31