United States and Singapore
Singapore operates as a business and logistics hub connected to the United States. The relationship combines trade, defense cooperation, cybersecurity and science. Agreements on facilities and civilian nuclear technology have scopes distinct from the trade treaty.
Analysis reviewed: 2026-10-07 · Indicators updated: 2026-10-07Defense cooperation without NATO membership
The framework includes the 1990 memorandum on facility use, the 2005 Strategic Framework Agreement and the 2015 Enhanced Defence Cooperation Agreement.
Follow-up in Parliament in February 2025
The February 2025 ministerial response confirms that the 123 agreement entered into force in December 2024 and mentions a January 2025 memorandum on strategic civilian nuclear cooperation.
Bilateral indicators
Blank cells: data unavailable.
| Indicator | Value | Period |
|---|---|---|
| Goods trade | 79,862.6 M USD | 2025 · Census |
| Goods: United States to Singapore | 41,634.6 M USD | 2025 · Census |
| Goods: Singapore to United States | 38,228 M USD | 2025 · Census |
| Services trade | 66,400 M USDUSTR est. | 2025 · USTR |
| Export share: United States to Singapore | 1.91 % | 2025 · Census |
| Export share: Singapore to United States | ||
| Investment stock: United States in Singapore | 484,167 M USDBEA est. | 2025 · BEA |
| Investment stock: Singapore in United States | 52,461 M USDBEA est. | 2025 · BEA |
Definitions and sources
Trade adds both directions. Shares refer to the country’s total goods exports; investment is an accumulated stock, not an annual flow. Every figure retains the currency and period of its source. BEA positions are historical-cost estimates based on the immediate counterpart, not market values or investment by ultimate owner. ‘More than’ indicates a lower bound, not an exact amount. A recorded stock does not establish new activity or authorisation to operate under sanctions.
- Goods trade
- 2025 · U.S. Census Bureau · Goods, January–December 2025, United States reporter. Not services or affiliate production.
- Goods: United States to Singapore
- 2025 · U.S. Census Bureau · Goods, January–December 2025, United States reporter. Not services or affiliate production.
- Goods: Singapore to United States
- 2025 · U.S. Census Bureau · Goods, January–December 2025, United States reporter. Not services or affiliate production.
- Services trade
- 2025 · USTR · USTR estimate of services trade; not goods. Published total, not recalculated from rounded components.
- Export share: United States to Singapore
- 2025 · U.S. Census Bureau · U.S. Census Bureau (other direction) · US goods exports to the partner / US goods exports to the world; same year and reporter.
- Investment stock: United States in Singapore
- 2025 · BEA · Direct investment position at historical cost; immediate counterparty. Not portfolio investment or announced commitments. Published negative values are retained.
- Investment stock: Singapore in United States
- 2025 · BEA · Direct investment position at historical cost; immediate counterparty. Not portfolio investment or announced commitments. Published negative values are retained.
Country comparison
Period and source beside each figure · est. = estimate by the stated institution.
| Indicator | United States | Singapore |
|---|---|---|
| Nominal GDP | 30.77 trillion USD2025 · WB | 603.87 billion USD2025 · WB |
| GDP per capita | 90,026.52 USD2025 · WB | 98,813.98 USD2025 · WB |
| GDP growth | 2.16 %2025 · WB | 5.03 %2025 · WB |
| Policy interest rate | 3.75–4 %2026-09-16 · Fed | |
| Inflation · annual average | 2.7 %IMF est.Annual average · 2025 · IMF | 0.9 %Annual average · 2025 · WB |
| Inflation · latest year-on-year figure | 3.4 %Year-on-year · Aug. 2026 · BLS | |
| Unemployment | 4.2 %ILO est.2025 · WB | 2.82 %ILO est.2025 · WB |
| Budget balance (% of GDP) | -6.8 %IMF est.2025 · IMF | 4.2 %IMF est.2025 · IMF |
| Gross public debt (% of GDP) | 123.9 %IMF est.2025 · IMF | 171.3 %IMF est.2025 · IMF |
| Current account balance (% of GDP) | -3.63 %2025 · WB | 16.71 %2025 · WB |
| Population | 341,784,8572025 · WB | 6,111,1752025 · WB |
| Area | 9,831,510 km²2023 · BM / FAO | 728 km²2023 · WB |
| Military expenditure | ||
| Military expenditure (% of GDP) |
Definitions, dates and sources
Blank cells are not zero. Average annual inflation and the latest year-on-year figure appear in separate rows: they are not the same measure. Every annual indicator retains its reference year; when the years differ, the figures are identified as not directly comparable. When a figure is unavailable from the World Bank, an annual IMF estimate is used and identified as such. The latest year-on-year figure is the latest official release verified as of 7 October 2026. This includes advance releases marked as provisional. Mexico may have a fortnightly figure before the full month is published; it is not automatically compared with a monthly figure. The publication date is retained in each source’s details; it does not replace the observation period or the annual average. Policy rates carry their own dates and represent different instruments. Spain and France share the ECB rate. Balances are positive for surpluses and negative for deficits. The IMF may use fiscal years; unemployment retains each source’s definition (ILO estimates, IMF WEO or PCBS), as stated in the details. For Palestine, debt and the fiscal balance cover central government and retain the PCBS definition; they are not presented as consolidated general government. These are economic magnitudes, not measures of relationship quality.
Area retains each source’s territorial coverage; it does not determine sovereignty or effective control. Canada uses an archived national geographic reference. Military expenditure retains the 2024 SIPRI sample distributed by the World Bank: the amount and percentage of GDP use that same definition, which differs from NATO’s. It is not an approved budget or a 2026 figure. Information from the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI). Military expenditure database · Terms of use0
Indicators reviewed: 2026-10-07. Each source retains its original access date; this review does not turn all the data into 2026 observations. Figures may be revised.
- Nominal GDP
- Current USDUnited States: 2025 · World BankSingapore: 2025 · World Bank · Official World Bank series. Observation year, not download date.
- GDP per capita
- Current USD per personUnited States: 2025 · World BankSingapore: 2025 · World Bank · Official World Bank series. Observation year, not download date.
- GDP growth
- Annual real change (%)United States: 2025 · World BankSingapore: 2025 · World Bank · Official World Bank series. Observation year, not download date.
- Policy interest rate
- Central bank instrument (%)United States: 2026-09-16 · Federal funds target range · Federal Reserve
- Inflation · annual average
- Average annual change in headline CPI (%)United States: 2025 · Average annual change in headline CPI (%) · IMF — World Economic Outlook · IMF est. · WEO estimate; not the year-on-year change for December or August 2026. · Alternative official source; verified 2026-10-07Singapore: 2025 · Annual average change in the CPI (%) · World Bank · Official World Bank series. Observation year, not download date.
- Inflation · latest year-on-year figure
- Headline CPI relative to the same period of the previous year (%); monthly or fortnightly frequency statedUnited States: 2026-08 · Headline CPI change relative to the same month of the previous year (%) · U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · Published: 2026-09-11 · Headline year-on-year CPI-U, not seasonally adjusted; not monthly or core inflation.
- Unemployment
- % of the labour force; definition used by the stated institutionUnited States: 2025 · World Bank · ILO est.Singapore: 2025 · ILO modelled estimate; percentage of the labour force · World Bank · ILO est. · Official World Bank series. Observation year, not download date.
- Budget balance
- General government (% of GDP)United States: 2025 · IMF — World Economic Outlook · IMF est.Singapore: 2025 · IMF · IMF est. · WEO general-government estimate, % of GDP. Not an observed balance for the current month.
- Gross public debt
- General government (% of GDP)United States: 2025 · IMF — World Economic Outlook · IMF est.Singapore: 2025 · IMF · IMF est. · WEO general-government estimate, % of GDP. Not an observed balance for the current month.
- Current account balance
- % of GDPUnited States: 2025 · World BankSingapore: 2025 · World Bank · Official World Bank series. Observation year, not download date.
- Population
- PeopleUnited States: 2025 · World BankSingapore: 2025 · World Bank · Official World Bank series. Observation year, not download date.
- Area
- Total area in km²; territorial coverage of the sourceUnited States: 2023 · Total area including inland waters; territorial coverage of the source · World Bank · FAOSingapore: 2023 · World Bank · Official World Bank series. Observation year, not download date.
- Military expenditure
- Current USD per year; SIPRI series
- Military expenditure (% of GDP)
- Percentage of GDP; SIPRI definition, not NATO’s definition
Other data specific to this relationship
What they buy and sell
Documented selection, not an exhaustive list. Cells without a figure do not mean zero value; some products are identified without a verified amount.
United States to Singapore
| Product or sector | Value / share |
|---|---|
| Machinery and mechanical appliances | 8,932.2 M USD2025 · Source |
| Electrical and electronic equipment | 5,023.1 M USD2025 · Source |
| Mineral fuels and oils | 3,725.1 M USD2025 · Source |
| Pharmaceutical products | 722.6 M USD2025 · Source |
| Land vehicles and components | 135.4 M USD2025 · Source |
Singapore to United States
| Product or sector | Value / share |
|---|---|
| Pharmaceutical products | 10,944.2 M USD2025 · Source |
| Machinery and mechanical appliances | 3,778 M USD2025 · Source |
| Electrical and electronic equipment | 3,644.9 M USD2025 · Source |
| Mineral fuels and oils | 670.4 M USD2025 · Source |
| Land vehicles and components | 38.9 M USD2025 · Source |
How trade has changed
Billions of current USD · full calendar years
View chart figures
| Period | Total | United States to Singapore | Singapore to United States |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 65,002.9 | 35,386.8 | 29,616.1 |
| 2022 | 77,558.9 | 45,958.7 | 31,600.2 |
| 2023 | 83,767.9 | 42,947 | 40,820.9 |
| 2024 | 88,300.6 | 45,041.4 | 43,259.2 |
| 2025 | 79,862.6 | 41,634.6 | 38,228 |
Connections between people
Training, professional activity and academic contacts accompany business ties without amounting to military technology transfer. [3]
Residents, study and travel
Blank cells: data unavailable. Each measure retains its definition and period.
| Indicator | Value | Period / source |
|---|---|---|
| Residents from United States living in Singapore | ||
| Residents from Singapore living in United States | ||
| Study and training: United States in Singapore | ||
| Study and training: Singapore in United StatesStudy and OPT training in the United States | 4,449 | 2024/25 · IIE / Open Doors |
| Academic stays: United States in SingaporeU.S. study-abroad stays carrying academic credit | 1948 | 2023/24 · IIE / Open Doors |
| Academic stays: Singapore in United States | ||
| Travel: United States to Singapore | ||
| Travel: Singapore to United StatesCountry of residence; international arrivals in the United States | 147,934arrivals | 2025 · NTTO |
What each figure measures
Residents are counted by nationality and the coverage of the stated register, not as people born in the other country or as new arrivals in one year. PERE includes dual nationals and people born outside Spain. Study with OPT and stays carrying academic credit are different measures. Travel may include several visits by the same person; FRONTUR arrivals require an overnight stay, whereas the Canadian survey includes day visits. These figures are neither added together nor automatically compared across directions.
- Study and training: Singapore in United States
- Open Doors: students by place of origin, including OPT practical training. Not visas or residents. 2024/25 · IIE / Open Doors
- Academic stays: United States in Singapore
- Mobility for academic credit reported by US institutions. Not the total number of residents or enrolment on a particular date. 2023/24 · IIE / Open Doors
- Travel: Singapore to United States
- Arrivals by country of residence; not nationality, unique travellers or permanent residence. NTTO series coverage. 2025 · NTTO
Mobility data added or reviewed: 2026-10-07. Reference periods may be earlier.
Underlying ties
History, institutions and long-standing issues.
Defense cooperation without NATO membership
The framework includes the 1990 memorandum on facility use, the 2005 Strategic Framework Agreement and the 2015 Enhanced Defence Cooperation Agreement. Singapore's foreign ministry describes cooperation and security functions. These instruments do not make Singapore a NATO member or transfer all national foreign policy decisions. [1]
The trade treaty and strategic dialogue
The free trade treaty has been in force since 2004. The declaration of the sixth strategic dialogue in February 2024 presents it as a central economic relationship element, alongside regional cooperation. An agreement's rules and actual business activity are different dimensions. Trade through a logistics platform may reflect chains spanning several countries, not exclusively production originating in Singapore. [2]
A framework for civilian nuclear uses
The countries signed the civilian nuclear cooperation agreement known as the 123 Agreement on July 31, 2024. Its function is to open a framework for technical and scientific collaboration subject to conditions. It does not demonstrate that Singapore already has an operational nuclear power plant or imply an agreement on nuclear weapons. Signing and subsequent projects have their own timelines. [3]
The scale of the two economies
The United States recorded nominal GDP of USD 30,769.7 billion in 2025, compared with 603.9 in 2025 for Singapore. The reference populations were 341.78 million (2025) and 6.11 million (2025), respectively. In the same year, US nominal GDP was 50.95 times that of Singapore. The figures contextualize market size; they do not in themselves describe well-being, individual wealth or political influence. IMF estimates or demographic extrapolations retain their markings in the table. A ratio is not calculated when the periods do not match. [9] [10] [11] [12]
Recent developments
Recent developments and latest available data · Reviewed: 2026-10-07
Follow-up in Parliament in February 2025
The February 2025 ministerial response confirms that the 123 agreement entered into force in December 2024 and mentions a January 2025 memorandum on strategic civilian nuclear cooperation. It is a stage subsequent to signing. It also places business and technological ties in the bilateral framework, with their own instruments that can continue operating alongside differences on other regional matters. [4]
Observed economic exchange
In 2025, recorded goods trade between the United States and Singapore totaled 79,862.6 million USD. Shipments from the United States to Singapore were 41,634.6 million USD; those in the opposite direction were 38,228 million USD. US shipments to the partner represented 1.91% of its goods exports to the world, using the same year and reporter. A single customs declaration is used for both directions. This annual flow does not include all services activity or subsidiaries' local sales and is not added to accumulated investment capital. [5]
Cross-border services
USTR estimates USD 66,400 million in services trade in 2025. It is the total published by the source, not a reconstruction from rounded components. Financial and professional services and activities involving travel have coverage different from goods. Its value does not represent a traveler count or all local business by companies established in the partner country. [6]
Recorded direct investment capital, not announced investment
The US direct investment position in Singapore was 484,167 million USD in 2025. Singapore's direct investment position in the United States was USD 52,461 million in 2025. BEA uses historical cost and the immediate counterpart. The figure is capital recorded at period-end, not a purchase or promise made during the year. It may reflect subsidiary structures and financing; published negative values are not replaced with zero. It does not include all portfolio investment or allow each project to be valued individually. [7] [8]
Human connections with their own figures
In 2025, the source recorded 147,934 arrivals from Singapore to the United States, with the coverage indicated in the table. [13]
In 2024/25, the source recorded 4449 students and OPT internship participants from Singapore in the United States. [14]
In 2023/24, 1948 stays carrying academic credit from the United States to Singapore were recorded. [14]
The counts describe different populations and periods: they are not added as a total of unique people. Open Doors includes OPT practical training; US study stays require academic credit. Arrivals by country of residence do not equate to nationality or permanent residence. The academic year retains its coverage and is not relabelled as a calendar year. [13] [14]
Milestones and consequences
Sources and data
Periods and scope of the figures
Each figure retains its period, unit, definition and source. Announcements, contracts and results are not interchangeable. Empty cells do not mean zero. Customs data for 2025 are not presented as activity observed during later crises.
- Bilateral relations with the United States
Singapore Ministry of Foreign Affairs · Institutional source · Accessed: 2026-10-07
- Sixth strategic partnership dialogue
Singapore Ministry of Foreign Affairs · Institutional source · Document: 2024-02 · Accessed: 2026-10-07
- 123 civilian nuclear agreement
Singapore Ministry of Foreign Affairs · Institutional source · Document: 2024-07-31 · Accessed: 2026-10-07
- Parliamentary response on bilateral ties
Singapore Ministry of Foreign Affairs · Institutional source · Document: 2025-02-04 · Accessed: 2026-10-07
- TOTAL rows 2021–2025; US reporter; goods; million USD
U.S. Census Bureau · Institutional source · Accessed: 2026-10-07
- Services exports plus imports, estimate, full calendar year 2025
USTR · Institutional source · Accessed: 2026-10-07
- Position; country row; G=2025; million USD; historical cost; immediate counterparty
BEA · Institutional source · Accessed: 2026-10-07
- Position; country row; G=2025; million USD; historical cost; immediate counterparty
BEA · Institutional source · Accessed: 2026-10-07
- Official statistics
World Bank · Institutional source · Accessed: 2026-09-17
- NY.GDP.MKTP.CD; ISO and reference year; no military dataset expansion
World Bank · Institutional source · Accessed: 2026-10-07
- Official statistics
World Bank · Institutional source · Accessed: 2026-10-06
- SP.POP.TOTL; ISO and reference year; no military dataset expansion
World Bank · Institutional source · Accessed: 2026-10-07
- Annual; country-of-residence row; AC=2025; arrivals, not unique people
NTTO · Institutional source · Accessed: 2026-10-07
- International Student Totals: 2024/25 incl OPT; US study abroad 2023/24. Not visa issuance.
IIE / Open Doors · Institutional source · Accessed: 2026-10-07
- HS2 27; 2025; reporter 842; partners 804,616,380,528,752,579,208,792,818,784,634,400,586,360,704,608,764,702,554,710,566,404,170,152,32; X/M; annual goods
UN Comtrade / USA · Institutional source · Accessed: 2026-10-07
- HS2 30; 2025; reporter 842; partners 804,616,380,528,752,579,208,792,818,784,634,400,586,360,704,608,764,702,554,710,566,404,170,152,32; X/M; annual goods
UN Comtrade / USA · Institutional source · Accessed: 2026-10-07
- HS2 84; 2025; reporter 842; partners 804,616,380,528,752,579,208,792,818,784,634,400,586,360,704,608,764,702,554,710,566,404,170,152,32; X/M; annual goods
UN Comtrade / USA · Institutional source · Accessed: 2026-10-07
- HS2 85; 2025; reporter 842; partners 804,616,380,528,752,579,208,792,818,784,634,400,586,360,704,608,764,702,554,710,566,404,170,152,32; X/M; annual goods
UN Comtrade / USA · Institutional source · Accessed: 2026-10-07
- HS2 87; 2025; reporter 842; partners 804,616,380,528,752,579,208,792,818,784,634,400,586,360,704,608,764,702,554,710,566,404,170,152,32; X/M; annual goods
UN Comtrade / USA · Institutional source · Accessed: 2026-10-07
Additional sources on products and human connections
- UN Comtrade / USA
2026-10-07 · Accessed: 2026-10-07 · HS2 27; 2025; reporter 842; partners 804,616,380,528,752,579,208,792,818,784,634,400,586,360,704,608,764,702,554,710,566,404,170,152,32; X/M; annual goods.
- UN Comtrade / USA
2026-10-07 · Accessed: 2026-10-07 · HS2 84; 2025; reporter 842; partners 804,616,380,528,752,579,208,792,818,784,634,400,586,360,704,608,764,702,554,710,566,404,170,152,32; X/M; annual goods.
- UN Comtrade / USA
2026-10-07 · Accessed: 2026-10-07 · HS2 85; 2025; reporter 842; partners 804,616,380,528,752,579,208,792,818,784,634,400,586,360,704,608,764,702,554,710,566,404,170,152,32; X/M; annual goods.
- UN Comtrade / USA
2026-10-07 · Accessed: 2026-10-07 · HS2 30; 2025; reporter 842; partners 804,616,380,528,752,579,208,792,818,784,634,400,586,360,704,608,764,702,554,710,566,404,170,152,32; X/M; annual goods.
- UN Comtrade / USA
2026-10-07 · Accessed: 2026-10-07 · HS2 87; 2025; reporter 842; partners 804,616,380,528,752,579,208,792,818,784,634,400,586,360,704,608,764,702,554,710,566,404,170,152,32; X/M; annual goods.