After expanding 3.7% in 2017, Singapore’s economic growth tapered to 3.1% in 2018 and the International Monetary Fund (IMF) has projected that it will slow to 2% in 2019. Growth had already decelerated to 1.1% in 1Q2019 and 0.1% in 2Q2019.
“Over the medium term, growth should stabilize around 2½ percent, increasingly driven by modern services alongside other trade-related sectors,” says IMF in a release on July 15, following the conclusion of its Article IV consultation with Singapore. “Risks to the outlook are tilted to the downside and mainly stem from external sources, including a tightening of global financial conditions, escalation of sustained trade tensions, and deceleration of global growth.”