Financing of Terrorism (AML/CFT) framework more in line with the enhanced international standards
of the Financial Action Task Force.
B. Recent Developments
4. Singapore’s economy continues to perform well in 2014–15 but activity has been
impacted by reduced reliance on foreign workers, the slow global recovery, and the turning of
credit and housing cycles. The moderation in growth from 4.4 percent in 2013 to 2.9 percent in
2014 partially reflects the transition to the lower trend growth rate dictated by reduced contribution
from labor supply. Cyclical factors reflecting a slow and uncertain global recovery and the turning of
credit and housing cycles have also played a role. In 2014, consumption growth slowed down
considerably and gross fixed investment contributed negatively to growth, held back by the
uncertain economic outlook and its impact on investor confidence (Figure 1). Growth in the first
quarter of 2015 was robust at 3.2 percent (q/q) in annualized seasonally-adjusted terms, following a
strong fourth quarter in 2014, with both consumption and investment showing signs of modest
pick-up. Private sector credit growth slowed to 4.6 percent in April 2015 (y/y), the slowest pace in
five years. House prices have continued to decline modestly and are below their peaks by 9 percent
and 6 percent in the public resale and private market segments as of the first quarter of 2015,
respectively. The pace of house price decline has been slower over the past 7 quarters, suggesting
that policy actions such as the introduction of the total debt service ratio (TDSR) framework in mid-
2013 have helped engineer the soft landing targeted by policy makers.
5. Inflation has declined significantly on the
back of a steep decline in oil prices and softer
housing and car permit prices, while a tight labor
market has not so far translated into inflation
pressures. Headline inflation fell to -0.3 percent (y/y)
in the first quarter of 2015, down from an average of
1 percent in 2014, and 2.4 percent in 2013. Core
inflation also eased, to 1.1 percent (y/y) in the first
quarter of 2015 (Figure 1). The labor market has
remained strong and unemployment has declined
below 2 percent. A remarkable increase in the hiring
of resident workers has pushed the labor force
participation ratio to a new record high. Pass-through
of rising unit labor costs partly driven by wage
increases has been smaller than expected amid weak
demand and uncertain business outlook, contributing
to subdued inflation.
6. The current account surplus increased in
2014, reflecting low import demand and lower
energy prices, while exports have been restrained.