SME Index
Real data. Real insights.

Measuring business health and performance of SMEs in Singapore.

The OCBC SME Index is the only quantitative index in Singapore powered by real transactional data from over 100,000 SMEs and 5 million data points with comprehensive coverage across industry value chains.

Real data. Real insights.

Gain insights into how SMEs are navigating disruptions and opportunities in digitalisation, transforming industries and shifting towards sustainability.

100,000

SMEs

5M

Data Points

WHO POWERS THE OCBC SME INDEX?

Across multiple industry value chains, each business is just 1 in over 100,000 SMEs that powers the OCBC SME Index.

As compared to 3 months ago, 43% of respondents from the latest OCBC Business Outlook poll conducted in Mar 2026 cited that business conditions remained the same, a 5-percentage point (pp) increase from the poll held in Dec 2025. Another 26% noted a deterioration, a 1 pp rise quarter-on-quarter. Despite the improvement in SME index reading in 1Q 2026, the share of respondents who saw improvements dropped by 6pp.

Looking ahead, nearly 1 in 4 of respondents expect business conditions to deteriorate in the next 6 months, representing a 7-percentage point increase in from the previous quarter. This indicates a weakening in business sentiment, with SME owners becoming more pessimistic about near-term conditions. Meanwhile, there was a corresponding 7-percentage point decline in share of respondents expecting an improvement, with the rest anticipating business conditions to remain the same. Domestic facing SMEs were slightly more pessimistic as compared to those in the outward oriented industries.

Amidst heightened tensions in the Middle East, geopolitical uncertainty emerged as the top challenge for SMEs in the near-term, particularly among outward-oriented industries. Higher energy prices and freight rates could lengthen delivery times and disrupt supply chains, potentially eroding the competitiveness of SMEs that are reliant on the external economy.

Know where you stand in your industry then stand taller.

SME Index & GDP Nowcast Comparison

The OCBC SME Index is centred on a score of 50, which represents zero change in the inputs from a year ago. A reading above 50 indicates an improvement while a sub-50 reading indicates a deterioration relative to the same period a year ago.

The OCBC SME Index rose to 51.6 in 1Q 2026, remaining in the expansionary territory as broad-based growth was registered in both domestic facing and outward-oriented industries.

The GDP Nowcast estimates GDP using the latest OCBC SME Index.

The 4Q 2025 GDP growth Nowcast based on the OCBC SME Index is around 5%, with the economy showing healthy activity in the outward oriented industries, and resilience in the domestic oriented industries despite softening consumer demand and a tougher operating environment.

Expert insights

“Our 2026 GDP growth forecast has been shaded down from around 3% to 2.5% as the advance 1Q26 GDP growth eased to 4.6% YoY (-0.3% QoQ seasonally adjusted). The prolonged Iran war, notwithstanding ongoing negotiations and ceasefire, have raised business costs especially for energy-intensive sectors, and also indirectly affected other sectors including Wholesale Trade and F&B.”

Selena Ling
Head of Treasury Research and Strategy

EXPLORE THE DATA

Discover the latest edition of the SME Index. It will help you identify where you stand within your industry value chain and understand the performance of your industry. Be nimble in spotting industry changes and trends.

Learn more about the

industry

Building and Construction rose to 51.0 in 1Q 2026, up from the 50.3 recorded last quarter. Growth was primarily supported by SMEs in Construction (50.9), with collections and payments for the segment growing by 13.8% and 10.7% respectively. However, rising energy prices are expected to impact SMEs that rely on heavy equipment and vehicles for construction activities. As overall construction costs rise, SMEs have taken measures to mitigate or optimise diesel consumption.

Building and Construction rose to 51.0 in 1Q 2026, up from the 50.3 recorded last quarter. Growth was primarily supported by SMEs in Construction (50.9), with collections and payments for the segment growing by 13.8% and 10.7% respectively. However, rising energy prices are expected to impact SMEs that rely on heavy equipment and vehicles for construction activities. As overall construction costs rise, SMEs have taken measures to mitigate or optimise diesel consumption.

Building and Construction rose to 51.0 in 1Q 2026, up from the 50.3 recorded last quarter. Growth was primarily supported by SMEs in Construction (50.9), with collections and payments for the segment growing by 13.8% and 10.7% respectively. However, rising energy prices are expected to impact SMEs that rely on heavy equipment and vehicles for construction activities. As overall construction costs rise, SMEs have taken measures to mitigate or optimise diesel consumption.

Building and Construction rose to 51.0 in 1Q 2026, up from the 50.3 recorded last quarter. Growth was primarily supported by SMEs in Construction (50.9), with collections and payments for the segment growing by 13.8% and 10.7% respectively. However, rising energy prices are expected to impact SMEs that rely on heavy equipment and vehicles for construction activities. As overall construction costs rise, SMEs have taken measures to mitigate or optimise diesel consumption.

Building and Construction rose to 51.0 in 1Q 2026, up from the 50.3 recorded last quarter. Growth was primarily supported by SMEs in Construction (50.9), with collections and payments for the segment growing by 13.8% and 10.7% respectively. However, rising energy prices are expected to impact SMEs that rely on heavy equipment and vehicles for construction activities. As overall construction costs rise, SMEs have taken measures to mitigate or optimise diesel consumption.

Business Services grew to 50.4 in 1Q 2026, up from the 49.8 registered in the previous quarter. This was accompanied by a 10.4% increase in collections and 9.2% increase in payments. Expansions in the Accounting & Legal (50.9) and Business Consultancy (50.7) segment outweighed the contraction in the Advertising and Exhibition (49.5) segment.

Business Services grew to 50.4 in 1Q 2026, up from the 49.8 registered in the previous quarter. This was accompanied by a 10.4% increase in collections and 9.2% increase in payments. Expansions in the Accounting & Legal (50.9) and Business Consultancy (50.7) segment outweighed the contraction in the Advertising and Exhibition (49.5) segment.

Business Services grew to 50.4 in 1Q 2026, up from the 49.8 registered in the previous quarter. This was accompanied by a 10.4% increase in collections and 9.2% increase in payments. Expansions in the Accounting & Legal (50.9) and Business Consultancy (50.7) segment outweighed the contraction in the Advertising and Exhibition (49.5) segment.

Business Services grew to 50.4 in 1Q 2026, up from the 49.8 registered in the previous quarter. This was accompanied by a 10.4% increase in collections and 9.2% increase in payments. Expansions in the Accounting & Legal (50.9) and Business Consultancy (50.7) segment outweighed the contraction in the Advertising and Exhibition (49.5) segment.

Education rose to 50.6 in 1Q 2026, with a steady year-on-year increase in overall collections and payments at 5.2% and 4.8% respectively. The pickup in performance of the sector can be attributed to expansions in Early Childhood Education (50.4), Training Centres (50.9), and Recreation Classes (50.5). Meanwhile, the Formal Education & Commercial Schools (49.5) segment remained in contraction for the seventh consecutive quarter.

Find out more about how the education industry performed in the OCBC SME Index each quarter.

Education rose to 50.6 in 1Q 2026, with a steady year-on-year increase in overall collections and payments at 5.2% and 4.8% respectively. The pickup in performance of the sector can be attributed to expansions in Early Childhood Education (50.4), Training Centres (50.9), and Recreation Classes (50.5). Meanwhile, the Formal Education & Commercial Schools (49.5) segment remained in contraction for the seventh consecutive quarter.

Find out more about how the education industry performed in the OCBC SME Index each quarter.

Education rose to 50.6 in 1Q 2026, with a steady year-on-year increase in overall collections and payments at 5.2% and 4.8% respectively. The pickup in performance of the sector can be attributed to expansions in Early Childhood Education (50.4), Training Centres (50.9), and Recreation Classes (50.5). Meanwhile, the Formal Education & Commercial Schools (49.5) segment remained in contraction for the seventh consecutive quarter.

Find out more about how the education industry performed in the OCBC SME Index each quarter.

Education rose to 50.6 in 1Q 2026, with a steady year-on-year increase in overall collections and payments at 5.2% and 4.8% respectively. The pickup in performance of the sector can be attributed to expansions in Early Childhood Education (50.4), Training Centres (50.9), and Recreation Classes (50.5). Meanwhile, the Formal Education & Commercial Schools (49.5) segment remained in contraction for the seventh consecutive quarter.

Find out more about how the education industry performed in the OCBC SME Index each quarter.

Education rose to 50.6 in 1Q 2026, with a steady year-on-year increase in overall collections and payments at 5.2% and 4.8% respectively. The pickup in performance of the sector can be attributed to expansions in Early Childhood Education (50.4), Training Centres (50.9), and Recreation Classes (50.5). Meanwhile, the Formal Education & Commercial Schools (49.5) segment remained in contraction for the seventh consecutive quarter.

Education rose to 50.6 in 1Q 2026, with a steady year-on-year increase in overall collections and payments at 5.2% and 4.8% respectively. The pickup in performance of the sector can be attributed to expansions in Early Childhood Education (50.4), Training Centres (50.9), and Recreation Classes (50.5). Meanwhile, the Formal Education & Commercial Schools (49.5) segment remained in contraction for the seventh consecutive quarter.

F&B registered an expansion of 51.1 in 1Q 2026 buoyed by growth across all segments. Overall collections and payments grew by 7.6% and 6.2% respectively. While the blockage of the Straits of Hormuz has disrupted the flow of fertilizers which are essential in agriculture and food production, the impact on SMEs in F&B is likely to be contained. This is partly because relatively few SMEs are involved in food farming and only a very small share of Singapore’s food supply is sourced from Middle East.

Find out more about how the F&B industry performed in the OCBC SME Index each quarter.

F&B registered an expansion of 51.1 in 1Q 2026 buoyed by growth across all segments. Overall collections and payments grew by 7.6% and 6.2% respectively. While the blockage of the Straits of Hormuz has disrupted the flow of fertilizers which are essential in agriculture and food production, the impact on SMEs in F&B is likely to be contained. This is partly because relatively few SMEs are involved in food farming and only a very small share of Singapore’s food supply is sourced from Middle East.

Find out more about how the F&B industry performed in the OCBC SME Index each quarter.

F&B registered an expansion of 51.1 in 1Q 2026 buoyed by growth across all segments. Overall collections and payments grew by 7.6% and 6.2% respectively. While the blockage of the Straits of Hormuz has disrupted the flow of fertilizers which are essential in agriculture and food production, the impact on SMEs in F&B is likely to be contained. This is partly because relatively few SMEs are involved in food farming and only a very small share of Singapore’s food supply is sourced from Middle East.

Find out more about how the F&B industry performed in the OCBC SME Index each quarter.

F&B registered an expansion of 51.1 in 1Q 2026 buoyed by growth across all segments. Overall collections and payments grew by 7.6% and 6.2% respectively. While the blockage of the Straits of Hormuz has disrupted the flow of fertilizers which are essential in agriculture and food production, the impact on SMEs in F&B is likely to be contained. This is partly because relatively few SMEs are involved in food farming and only a very small share of Singapore’s food supply is sourced from Middle East.

Find out more about how the F&B industry performed in the OCBC SME Index each quarter.

F&B registered an expansion of 51.1 in 1Q 2026 buoyed by growth across all segments. Overall collections and payments grew by 7.6% and 6.2% respectively. While the blockage of the Straits of Hormuz has disrupted the flow of fertilizers which are essential in agriculture and food production, the impact on SMEs in F&B is likely to be contained. This is partly because relatively few SMEs are involved in food farming and only a very small share of Singapore’s food supply is sourced from Middle East.

Healthcare registered an expansion at 50.7 in 1Q 2026, recovering from the contraction in the previous quarter. Growth was primarily driven by growth in the Healthcare Distributor (52.2) segment. Overall collections grew by 6.4% year-on-year, outpaced by the growth in payments of 9.5%.

Find out more about how the healthcare industry performed in the OCBC SME Index each quarter.

Healthcare registered an expansion at 50.7 in 1Q 2026, recovering from the contraction in the previous quarter. Growth was primarily driven by growth in the Healthcare Distributor (52.2) segment. Overall collections grew by 6.4% year-on-year, outpaced by the growth in payments of 9.5%.

Find out more about how the healthcare industry performed in the OCBC SME Index each quarter.

Healthcare registered an expansion at 50.7 in 1Q 2026, recovering from the contraction in the previous quarter. Growth was primarily driven by growth in the Healthcare Distributor (52.2) segment. Overall collections grew by 6.4% year-on-year, outpaced by the growth in payments of 9.5%.

Find out more about how the healthcare industry performed in the OCBC SME Index each quarter.

Healthcare registered an expansion at 50.7 in 1Q 2026, recovering from the contraction in the previous quarter. Growth was primarily driven by growth in the Healthcare Distributor (52.2) segment. Overall collections grew by 6.4% year-on-year, outpaced by the growth in payments of 9.5%.

ICT registered its third consecutive quarter of expansion at 51.4 in 1Q 2026. Overall collections and payments rose by 22.2% and 16.5% respectively as SMEs in the sector continue to see robust business activity. Growth was driven by the ICT Manufacturing and Sales (51.3), the Web Portals and Hosting (51.4), and the Data Processing and Software Development (50.7) segments. Resource‑intensive segments of the ICT sector face elevated risks of disruption due to high electricity consumption if the crisis is prolonged.

ICT registered its third consecutive quarter of expansion at 51.4 in 1Q 2026. Overall collections and payments rose by 22.2% and 16.5% respectively as SMEs in the sector continue to see robust business activity. Growth was driven by the ICT Manufacturing and Sales (51.3), the Web Portals and Hosting (51.4), and the Data Processing and Software Development (50.7) segments. Resource‑intensive segments of the ICT sector face elevated risks of disruption due to high electricity consumption if the crisis is prolonged.

ICT registered its third consecutive quarter of expansion at 51.4 in 1Q 2026. Overall collections and payments rose by 22.2% and 16.5% respectively as SMEs in the sector continue to see robust business activity. Growth was driven by the ICT Manufacturing and Sales (51.3), the Web Portals and Hosting (51.4), and the Data Processing and Software Development (50.7) segments. Resource‑intensive segments of the ICT sector face elevated risks of disruption due to high electricity consumption if the crisis is prolonged.

ICT registered its third consecutive quarter of expansion at 51.4 in 1Q 2026. Overall collections and payments rose by 22.2% and 16.5% respectively as SMEs in the sector continue to see robust business activity. Growth was driven by the ICT Manufacturing and Sales (51.3), the Web Portals and Hosting (51.4), and the Data Processing and Software Development (50.7) segments. Resource‑intensive segments of the ICT sector face elevated risks of disruption due to high electricity consumption if the crisis is prolonged.

ICT registered its third consecutive quarter of expansion at 51.4 in 1Q 2026. Overall collections and payments rose by 22.2% and 16.5% respectively as SMEs in the sector continue to see robust business activity. Growth was driven by the ICT Manufacturing and Sales (51.3), the Web Portals and Hosting (51.4), and the Data Processing and Software Development (50.7) segments. Resource‑intensive segments of the ICT sector face elevated risks of disruption due to high electricity consumption if the crisis is prolonged.

ICT registered its third consecutive quarter of expansion at 51.4 in 1Q 2026. Overall collections and payments rose by 22.2% and 16.5% respectively as SMEs in the sector continue to see robust business activity. Growth was driven by the ICT Manufacturing and Sales (51.3), the Web Portals and Hosting (51.4), and the Data Processing and Software Development (50.7) segments. Resource‑intensive segments of the ICT sector face elevated risks of disruption due to high electricity consumption if the crisis is prolonged.

Manufacturing remained in expansionary territory for the fourth consecutive quarter with a reading of 51.6 in 1Q 2026. This was accompanied by a 6.1% on-year increase in collections and 7.0% on-year increase in payments. Strong performance of the sector is primarily attributed to the Precision Engineering (52.3) and Consumer Products (51.3) segments. While Singapore maintains an energy stockpile for contingencies, a prolonged closure of the Straits of Hormuz continue to pose risks for segments that are reliant on LNG for power generation as a significant share of Singapore’s LNG imports comes from Qatar.

Manufacturing remained in expansionary territory for the fourth consecutive quarter with a reading of 51.6 in 1Q 2026. This was accompanied by a 6.1% on-year increase in collections and 7.0% on-year increase in payments. Strong performance of the sector is primarily attributed to the Precision Engineering (52.3) and Consumer Products (51.3) segments. While Singapore maintains an energy stockpile for contingencies, a prolonged closure of the Straits of Hormuz continue to pose risks for segments that are reliant on LNG for power generation as a significant share of Singapore’s LNG imports comes from Qatar.

Manufacturing remained in expansionary territory for the fourth consecutive quarter with a reading of 51.6 in 1Q 2026. This was accompanied by a 6.1% on-year increase in collections and 7.0% on-year increase in payments. Strong performance of the sector is primarily attributed to the Precision Engineering (52.3) and Consumer Products (51.3) segments. While Singapore maintains an energy stockpile for contingencies, a prolonged closure of the Straits of Hormuz continue to pose risks for segments that are reliant on LNG for power generation as a significant share of Singapore’s LNG imports comes from Qatar.

Manufacturing remained in expansionary territory for the fourth consecutive quarter with a reading of 51.6 in 1Q 2026. This was accompanied by a 6.1% on-year increase in collections and 7.0% on-year increase in payments. Strong performance of the sector is primarily attributed to the Precision Engineering (52.3) and Consumer Products (51.3) segments. While Singapore maintains an energy stockpile for contingencies, a prolonged closure of the Straits of Hormuz continue to pose risks for segments that are reliant on LNG for power generation as a significant share of Singapore’s LNG imports comes from Qatar.

Manufacturing remained in expansionary territory for the fourth consecutive quarter with a reading of 51.6 in 1Q 2026. This was accompanied by a 6.1% on-year increase in collections and 7.0% on-year increase in payments. Strong performance of the sector is primarily attributed to the Precision Engineering (52.3) and Consumer Products (51.3) segments. While Singapore maintains an energy stockpile for contingencies, a prolonged closure of the Straits of Hormuz continue to pose risks for segments that are reliant on LNG for power generation as a significant share of Singapore’s LNG imports comes from Qatar.

Transport & Logistics grew to 51.2 in 1Q 2026, up from the 50.1 recorded in last quarter. Collections and payments for the sector grew by 14.1% and 16.1% respectively on a year-on-year basis. Growth this quarter was driven was driven by expansions in the Sea Transport (51.1), Land Transport (51.0), and Logistics (50.4) segments. The surge in energy prices arising from the Middle East situation would inevitably weigh on the SMEs in Transport & Logistics, given their heavy reliance on fuel to operate and maintain vehicle and vessel fleet.

Find out more about how the Transport & Logistics industry performed in the OCBC SME Index each quarter.

Transport & Logistics grew to 51.2 in 1Q 2026, up from the 50.1 recorded in last quarter. Collections and payments for the sector grew by 14.1% and 16.1% respectively on a year-on-year basis. Growth this quarter was driven was driven by expansions in the Sea Transport (51.1), Land Transport (51.0), and Logistics (50.4) segments. The surge in energy prices arising from the Middle East situation would inevitably weigh on the SMEs in Transport & Logistics, given their heavy reliance on fuel to operate and maintain vehicle and vessel fleet.

Find out more about how the Transport & Logistics industry performed in the OCBC SME Index each quarter.

Transport & Logistics grew to 51.2 in 1Q 2026, up from the 50.1 recorded in last quarter. Collections and payments for the sector grew by 14.1% and 16.1% respectively on a year-on-year basis. Growth this quarter was driven was driven by expansions in the Sea Transport (51.1), Land Transport (51.0), and Logistics (50.4) segments. The surge in energy prices arising from the Middle East situation would inevitably weigh on the SMEs in Transport & Logistics, given their heavy reliance on fuel to operate and maintain vehicle and vessel fleet.

Find out more about how the Transport & Logistics industry performed in the OCBC SME Index each quarter.

Transport & Logistics grew to 51.2 in 1Q 2026, up from the 50.1 recorded in last quarter. Collections and payments for the sector grew by 14.1% and 16.1% respectively on a year-on-year basis. Growth this quarter was driven was driven by expansions in the Sea Transport (51.1), Land Transport (51.0), and Logistics (50.4) segments. The surge in energy prices arising from the Middle East situation would inevitably weigh on the SMEs in Transport & Logistics, given their heavy reliance on fuel to operate and maintain vehicle and vessel fleet.

Find out more about how the Transport & Logistics industry performed in the OCBC SME Index each quarter.

Transport & Logistics grew to 51.2 in 1Q 2026, up from the 50.1 recorded in last quarter. Collections and payments for the sector grew by 14.1% and 16.1% respectively on a year-on-year basis. Growth this quarter was driven was driven by expansions in the Sea Transport (51.1), Land Transport (51.0), and Logistics (50.4) segments. The surge in energy prices arising from the Middle East situation would inevitably weigh on the SMEs in Transport & Logistics, given their heavy reliance on fuel to operate and maintain vehicle and vessel fleet.

Wholesale Trade

Wholesale Trade registered another quarter of expansion at 51.4 in 1Q 2026. The pace of growth has picked up from the last quarter, with overall collections and payments showing steady year-on-year growth of 10.8% and 8.3%, respectively.

Retail

Retail registered at an all-time high of 53.4 in 1Q 2026. This was accompanied by a year-on-year increase in overall collections and payments of 15.2% and 15.5% respectively. Inbound tourism spending continues to provide strong uplift for the retail landscape, while a firm domestic labor market and stable macroeconomic conditions offer broad-based support to SMEs in the retail sector. Nonetheless, the Middle East conflict poses near-term downside risks to SMEs within the Retail sector particularly when input cost pressures are passed through to consumers, and high inflation erodes consumer’s purchasing power.

Resources

Resources continues to remain in the expansion territory at 50.4 in 1Q 2026. The pace of growth has slowed from the previous quarter.

OCBC Research insights

Bringing you the latest insights and research, helmed by our team of in-house economists, strategists and analysts, with more than 100 years of combined experience.

Learn more  

Or WhatsApp / SMS us at +65 8138 1964