Singapore’s economy has slipped into contraction at the start of 2026, with gross domestic product (GDP) shrinking 0.3% quarter-on-quarter in the first quarter of the year. The latest reading, updated on 14 April 2026, marks a sharp reversal from the 2.1% quarter-on-quarter expansion recorded in the fourth quarter of 2025.
The figures are based on a quarter-on-quarter comparison, where the current quarter’s performance is measured against the immediately preceding quarter. In Q4 2025, the economy had grown 2.1% compared with Q3 2025, but momentum faded entering 2026, leading to a negative print in Q1. This shift underscores a weakening short-term growth trajectory for Singapore after a strong year-end finish.
