Singapore’s corporate sector reported that, by the end of 2025, it held 1.85 trillion Singapore dollars—roughly 1.45 trillion U.S. dollars—in direct investment abroad. The announcement came from a statement released by the Singapore Department of Statistics and reported by Xinhua News Agency on 3 November 2026.
Direct equity investment comprised the bulk of the outflow, making up 94.3 percent of the total stock. Net inter‑company lending filled the remaining 5.7 percent, indicating that most overseas holdings were equity stakes rather than loans among Singapore‑based firms.
When the destinations of those investments were examined, the top ten economies attracted 64.8 percent of the total foreign‑direct‑investment stock. Singapore’s companies invested heavily in their familiar markets, although the distribution also reflected wider international diversification.
At the core of that share were the Chinese mainland, the United Kingdom and India, which together attracted the largest portion of Singapore’s overseas capital. These three markets appear to remain the most attractive for Singaporean corporates seeking growth opportunities outside Southeast Asia.
Beyond the large‑scale equity portfolio, an additional source notes that Singaporean financial institutions increased their direct overseas investments in North American markets to SGD 45 billion during 2024. That figure, reported by Milliman, underscores a continuing trend of diversification into North America, even though it represents only a small proportion of the overall 1.85 trillion‑Singapore‑dollar stock.
A study of investment flows indicates that Singapore’s corporate strategy continues to emphasise international expansion through equity. The heavy lean toward equity shows that Singapore firms are actively buying controlling or significant minority stakes in foreign companies, rather than merely lending to them.
The concentration of outflows in China, the United Kingdom and India reflects both geographic proximity and strategic alignment. Singapore views these regions as key growth engines, whether through trade partnerships, supply‑chain integration or market access for technology and services.
Overall, the data suggest that Singapore’s corporate sector remains a significant source of capital for major economies, while also signalling a broader international strategy that balances high‑return equity interests with the stability of inter‑company loans.