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Economists slash Singapore growth forecast to 1.7%, with manufacturing expected to shrink: survey

Expectations have risen for further monetary policy easing in July

Paige Lim
Published Wed, Jun 18, 2025 · 12:00 PM
    • Economists have cut their growth forecasts for all sectors, compared with the last survey in March.
    • Economists have cut their growth forecasts for all sectors, compared with the last survey in March. PHOTO: BT FILE

    [SINGAPORE] Private-sector economists’ forecasts for Singapore’s full-year 2025 growth and inflation fell sharply in the latest quarterly survey published by the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS), as expectations dimmed amid worsening US-China tensions.

    “The downgrade in the survey forecasts comes on the back of (US President Donald) Trump’s ‘Liberation Day’ reciprocal tariffs,” said Maybank economist Chua Hak Bin, who also cited the lowering of official forecasts as a factor.

    In the latest quarterly survey of professional forecasters on Wednesday (Jun 18), the median growth forecast fell to 1.7 per cent – dragged down by an anticipated manufacturing contraction – from 2.6 per cent previously.

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