All eyes will be on Prime Minister Lawrence Wong as he delivers the Budget 2026 statement on Feb 12, a roadmap that could shape Singapore’s next phase of growth and support.

This year’s Budget is expected to zero in on six key areas: accelerating AI adoption, manpower adjustments, smaller CDC payouts, helping businesses internationalise, clarifying carbon tax plans, and even the possibility of wealth taxes.

But which of these will matter most to Singaporeans right now? How different will Budget 2026 look compared to last year’s package? And will it go far enough to tackle long-standing pressures, from cost of living concerns to global economic uncertainty?

On The Big Story, Hongbin Jeong speaks with Chan Kok Hoe, Senior Lecturer, National University of Singapore, to find out more.