Singapore’s chip exports surged as AI demand widened its lead in semiconductors
What’s new: Chips made up S$1.7 billion of Singapore’s S$3.1 billion electronics exports in March, while non-electronics exports fell 3.5% in Q1.
Singapore is leaning more heavily on semiconductors as global AI demand lifts electronics exports and reinforces the country’s role in the chip supply chain. Electronics non-oil domestic exports rose 57.8% year over year in the first quarter of 2026, up from 23.4% in the final quarter of 2025, with chips accounting for S$1.7 billion of the S$3.1 billion in electronics exports in March. At the same time, non-electronics exports reversed earlier gains and dropped 3.5% in the first three months of 2026. Singapore produces about one in 10 chips worldwide and one-fifth of global semiconductor equipment, according to local industry and government figures. Industry executives say its strength lies less in the most advanced nodes and more in mature and specialty chips, along with packaging, testing and equipment.