SINGAPORE, Feb. 26 (Xinhua) -- Singapore's manufacturing output rose 16.6 percent year-on-year in January 2026, accelerating from 10.9 percent growth in December 2025, the Singapore Economic Development Board said on Thursday.
On a seasonally adjusted month-on-month basis, factory output expanded 5.3 percent in January.
Four of the six industry clusters posted year-on-year gains, led by electronics, which surged 44 percent. The board attributed the increase to higher output of other electronic modules and components, as well as semiconductors.
Semiconductor production was underpinned by robust demand linked to artificial intelligence, it said.
Transport engineering, precision engineering and chemicals also recorded growth, rising 25.2 percent, 13.2 percent and 2.3 percent year-on-year, respectively.
By contrast, biomedical manufacturing and general manufacturing contracted 33.1 percent and 2.6 percent, respectively.
"Pharmaceuticals contracted on lower production of biological products and active pharmaceutical ingredients, while medical technology fell due to softer demand for medical devices," the board said. ■