Singapore's core inflation eases to 2% in September, undercutting forecasts

Official data show that Singapore's core inflation, which excludes private road transport and housing costs, increased by 2% in September compared with a year earlier. The figure fell short of the 2.3% median estimate from a poll and was lower than August's 2.2% reading. Overall headline inflation held at 2.2%, matching poll expectations. The central bank left monetary policy unchanged, citing easing inflation pressures as the AI sector and supply bottlenecks moderate. In August, the trade ministry lifted its 2026 growth outlook to a range of 4.5%-5.5%.