Singapore ended 2025 on a strong note. The economy grew by 4.8 per cent, beating earlier forecasts and clocking its fastest pace since 2021. Manufacturing surged, jobs stayed resilient, and exports were boosted by the AI boom.

But here’s the real question, what do these big numbers actually mean for Singaporeans?
Does stronger growth translate into better job prospects, higher pay, or a lower cost of living? And if growth is expected to slow in 2026, should we be preparing for tougher times ahead?

To help us make sense of it all, on The Big Story, Hongbin Jeong speaks to Selena Ling, Chief Economist and Head of OCBC Group Research at OCBC.

Singapore ended 2025 on a strong note. The economy grew by 4.8 per cent, beating earlier forecasts and clocking its fastest pace since 2021. Manufacturing surged, jobs stayed resilient, and exports were boosted by the AI boom.
But here&rsquo;s the real question, what do these big numbers actually mean for Singaporeans? Does stronger growth translate into better job prospects, higher pay, or a lower cost of living? And if growth is expected to slow in 2026, should we be preparing for tougher times ahead?
To help us make sense of it all, on The Big Story, Hongbin Jeong speaks to Selena Ling, Chief Economist and Head of OCBC Group Research at OCBC.

Your Way Home with Hongbin Jeong is your 4–8pm drive companion, guiding you through the day’s biggest headlines, trending conversations and the issues shaping Singapore and the world.

From news and current affairs to lifestyle insights and generational perspectives, the show helps you make sense of what’s happening — with clarity, context and a touch of personality.

Whether you’re catching up after a long day or tuning in on the move, Your Way Home keeps you informed, engaged and connected — all the way home.

And she closes the day with a song that says it all.

Your Way Home with Hongbin Jeong is your 4&ndash;8pm drive companion, guiding you through the day&rsquo;s biggest headlines, trending conversations and the issues shaping Singapore and the world.
From news and current affairs to lifestyle insights and generational perspectives, the show helps you make sense of what&rsquo;s happening &mdash; with clarity, context and a touch of personality.
Whether you&rsquo;re catching up after a long day or tuning in on the move, Your Way Home keeps you informed, engaged and connected &mdash; all the way home.
And she closes the day with a song that says it all.

Your Way Home with Hongbin Jeong

MONEY FM 89.3 is Singapore’s first and only Business and Personal Finance station. MONEY FM is a 24-hour English talk format station featuring local and international business and financial news. We provide you with financial market and currency updates and insights from analysts, economists, policy makers, industry experts and business owners.

In the lighter hours, listen to discussions on social issues and features on topics that include health, education, arts and music.

MONEY FM 89.3 is Singapore&rsquo;s first and only Business and Personal Finance station. MONEY FM is a 24-hour English talk format station featuring local and international business and financial news. We provide you with financial market and currency updates and insights from analysts, economists, policy makers, industry experts and business owners.
In the lighter hours, listen to discussions on social issues and features on topics that include health, education, arts and music.

MONEY FM 89.3 is Singapore’s first and only Business and Personal Finance station.

MONEY FM 89.3

Your Way Home with Hongbin Jeong is your 4–8pm drive companion,

The Big Story: SG's economy doing well with 4.8% growth, but are Singaporeans feeling it?

Indonesia’s rupiah has plunged to record lows against both the US dollar and Singapore dollar, sparking market anxiety, political backlash and a flood of viral memes online. While Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto has sought to reassure the public that the country’s economic fundamentals remain strong, growing concerns over inflation, purchasing power and investor confidence are raising questions about the broader health of Southeast Asia’s largest economy.

So what’s really driving the rupiah’s sharp decline? How worried should ordinary Indonesians  and neighbouring countries like Singapore be about the potential economic ripple effects?

On The Big Story, Hongbin Jeong speaks with Adam Samdin from the Asia Macro team at Oxford Economics to break it all down. 

Indonesia&rsquo;s rupiah has plunged to record lows against both the US dollar and Singapore dollar, sparking market anxiety, political backlash and a flood of viral memes online. While Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto has sought to reassure the public that the country&rsquo;s economic fundamentals remain strong, growing concerns over inflation, purchasing power and investor confidence are raising questions about the broader health of Southeast Asia&rsquo;s largest economy.
So what&rsquo;s really driving the rupiah&rsquo;s sharp decline? How worried should ordinary Indonesians&nbsp; and neighbouring countries like Singapore be about the potential economic ripple effects?
On The Big Story, Hongbin Jeong speaks with Adam Samdin from the Asia Macro team at Oxford Economics to break it all down.&nbsp;

The Big Story: Why Indonesia’s record low Rupiah is triggering panic and memes

For generations, Singaporeans were sold a familiar retirement formula: work hard, build your CPF, pay off your home, and your golden years would take care of themselves. But for many seniors today, that once-reassuring promise is starting to feel far less certain.

Are older Singaporeans now realising that retirement may be far more expensive than they ever imagined? And in a rapidly changing Singapore, is CPF still enough to offer genuine peace of mind? What does real retirement security actually look like today?

On The Agenda, Hongbin Jeong speaks with Patrick Chang, Author of 'Welcome Protirement: The Essentials A to Z', to find out more. 

For generations, Singaporeans were sold a familiar retirement formula: work hard, build your CPF, pay off your home, and your golden years would take care of themselves. But for many seniors today, that once-reassuring promise is starting to feel far less certain.
Are older Singaporeans now realising that retirement may be far more expensive than they ever imagined? And in a rapidly changing Singapore, is CPF still enough to offer genuine peace of mind? What does real retirement security actually look like today?
On The Agenda, Hongbin Jeong speaks with Patrick Chang, Author of 'Welcome Protirement: The Essentials A to Z', to find out more.&nbsp;

The Agenda: Is it enough to retire comfortably with just CPF savings?

On What's Trending, Hongbin Jeong, Nadiah Koh and Nazirul Asrar dive into the never-ending battle that unites couples everywhere: housework. Inspired by a viral wedding in China where one newlywed couple literally stepped into a wrestling ring on their big day to decide who would be “exempt” from chores for life, we unpack just how far people are willing to go to settle the great domestic divide.

From body slams to laundry loads, this outrageous wedding stunt sparks a bigger conversation many households know all too well: what’s actually the fairest way to divide chores at home? Should it be 50-50, based on income, free time, or simply whoever complains less? 

On What's Trending, Hongbin Jeong, Nadiah Koh and Nazirul Asrar dive into the never-ending battle that unites couples everywhere: housework. Inspired by a viral wedding in China where one newlywed couple literally stepped into a wrestling ring on their big day to decide who would be &ldquo;exempt&rdquo; from chores for life, we unpack just how far people are willing to go to settle the great domestic divide.
From body slams to laundry loads, this outrageous wedding stunt sparks a bigger conversation many households know all too well: what&rsquo;s actually the fairest way to divide chores at home? Should it be 50-50, based on income, free time, or simply whoever complains less?&nbsp;

The Big Story: SG's economy doing well with 4.8% growth, but are Singaporeans feeling it?

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