Four out of four real estate firms plan to raise LWW wages: survey

All surveyed companies in banking and insurance, other services, and health and social services shared the same intention.

Four out of four surveyed real estate firms expect to continue expanding wages for low-wage workers (LWWs) over the next 12 months, up from 33% in 2025, the Singapore Business Federation’s National Business Survey 2026 showed.

The number of surveyed banking and insurance firms that shared the same expectation also rose to 100% from 75%.

Amongst the 177 respondents, all surveyed companies in health and social services and other service activities plan to raise LWW wages, unchanged from 2025.

Across professional services, 82% of respondents plan to raise LWW wages, up from 67%, whilst the proportion in IT and related services rose to 80% from 50%.

In education, the share surged from 0% to 80%.

Meanwhile, the proportion of firms planning wage increases fell in administrative and support services, from 100% to 78%, and in retail trade, also from 100% to 71%.

In construction and civil engineering, 70% of surveyed firms expect to raise LWW wages, down from 74%, whilst in manufacturing, 69% said the same, down from 83%.

The share of businesses in hotels, restaurants and accommodation planning to raise LWW wages remained at 67%, whilst the figure for logistics and transportation rose to 67% from 50%.

In wholesale trade, the share edged up to 59% from 58%, whilst it fell to 50% from 67% in other financial and insurance activities.

Across other sectors, the proportion planning to raise LWW wages rose to 25% from 0%.