SINGAPORE – Singapore continued to attract strong foreign investment commitments in 2025 despite a challenging global environment, with the Economic Development Board (EDB) securing S$14.2 billion in fixed asset investments and projecting the creation of 15,700 new jobs over the next five years. According to Channel NewsAsia, the figure represents a 5.3 per cent increase from the S$13.5 billion recorded in 2024, underscoring investor confidence in Singapore as a stable and strategic business hub amid geopolitical tensions and rapid technological change.
While total capital commitments rose, the number of jobs expected from these investments declined from 18,700 in 2024 to 15,700 in 2025, marking the lowest projected job creation in nearly two decades. Analysts and EDB officials attribute the drop largely to greater automation and digitalisation, which allow companies to scale operations with leaner workforces, as well as more conservative hiring projections amid ongoing economic uncertainty.
The jobs generated are expected to be concentrated in services (40 per cent), manufacturing (37 per cent), and research, development and innovation (23 per cent). Most roles will fall under professional, manager, executive and technician (PMET) categories, reflecting a continued shift toward higher-value employment. Notably, more than two-thirds of these positions are projected to offer gross monthly salaries above S$5,000, highlighting the quality of opportunities even as overall job numbers ease.
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Manufacturing remained the largest contributor to fixed asset investments, accounting for around S$12.1 billion, driven by sustained global demand in electronics, biomedical manufacturing, and chemicals, alongside growing interest in AI-related chips and server technologies. In addition, total business expenditure rose to S$8.9 billion, signalling ongoing commitment from companies in headquarters operations, professional services, and R&D activities.
EDB chairman Png Cheong Boon said Singapore’s reputation for stability, connectivity, and pro-business policies continues to draw long-term investments. Managing director Jermaine Loy added that evolving industry structures and technological advances are reshaping workforce needs, increasing demand for workers with digital capabilities and specialised skills.
Looking ahead, EDB noted that competition for global investments remains intense as climate risks and disruptive technologies transform industries worldwide. Strengthening leadership in emerging sectors, fostering innovation, and equipping the workforce with future-ready skills will be critical for Singapore to sustain growth amid persistent global volatility.
