Singapore’s Prime Minister Lawrence Wong has pledged to make jobs for citizens the government’s top priority, as the trade-dependent city-state confronts mounting risks from rising global protectionism and the disruptive potential of artificial intelligence, according to Bloomberg.
In his annual National Day Rally speech on Sunday, marking the nation’s 60th year, Wong warned that Singapore faces “a more troubled and turbulent world,” citing the ongoing U.S.-China rivalry, President Donald Trump’s tariff policies, and technological shifts threatening workers.
“Ultimately, our economic strategy is about jobs, jobs and jobs – that’s our number one priority,” Wong said in his first major national address since leading the People’s Action Party (PAP) to victory in May’s general election. “We will do more to help Singaporeans seize new job opportunities.”
The 52-year-old prime minister laid out a roadmap to safeguard the country’s economic resilience and social stability. Plans include redeveloping parts of the island, building new housing, expanding social safety nets, and equipping enterprises — particularly small and medium-sized firms — to harness AI. Wong announced initiatives such as a government-funded traineeship program for university graduates and a job-matching scheme to better connect workers with opportunities.
Under Wong’s leadership, the PAP has already introduced landmark welfare measures, including Singapore’s first unemployment benefits, along with billions of dollars in subsidies for food, utilities, and education. Of the city-state’s six million residents, 3.6 million are citizens, a group Wong emphasized would remain central to policy planning.
Looking ahead, Wong said Singapore must craft a “new economic blueprint” to adapt to enduring global shifts. That effort will focus on competitiveness, green energy access, and helping local firms expand into overseas markets.
The speech comes just days after Singapore raised its full-year growth forecast to 1.5%–2.5%, up from an earlier projection of 0%–2%. The upgrade followed stronger-than-expected first-half performance, aided by front-loaded trade flows ahead of new U.S. tariffs and easing global trade anxieties.
“This next chapter opens in a more troubled and turbulent world,” Wong told Singaporeans. “But with the right strategy, we can secure our future together.”
