Singapore third-quarter GDP growth softens from four-year high but beats estimates

Singapore's economic expansion decelerated in the third quarter of 2026, with GDP growth dropping to 5.4% after hitting a four-year high in the last quarter. However, the GDP print beat expectations of a 5% growth from economists polled by Reuters. Singapore back in August had lifted its annual economic growth forecast as AI-related sectors and exports powered its economy to beat expectations for the first two quarters of the year. GDP growth for 2026 is now expected to come in at 4.5% to 5.5%, more than double the lower end of its previous forecast of 2%-4%. This has been the second time Singapore has upgraded its growth estimates. At the start of the year, the country's ministry of trade and industry had estimated growth at 1%-3% .