What’s making headlines this week? For starters, YouTube is giving us all a cheaper way to enjoy videos ad-free, while Cathay Pacific is celebrating its latest big win with $160 off flights for Singapore travellers. Wondering if money really buys peace of mind? Fresh research says even the wealthy are anxious about ageing, and rising prices are leaving high earners feeling the pinch, too.
On the move, ComfortDelGro taxi customers will soon face new cancellation and waiting fees, changing the way we book and ride. Singapore’s economy is showing solid growth, tech jobs are booming, and the city is climbing the global ranks for digital talent—even as private home sales notch a fourth straight month of decline.
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YouTube Premium Lite launches in Singapore: ad-free viewing, fewer frills
YouTube has rolled out Premium Lite in Singapore, introducing a more affordable option for users who want to watch most videos without ads. Priced at $7.98 per month, the new subscription will be fully available in the coming weeks.
What does Premium Lite offer?
- Ad-free viewing: Enjoy most videos across genres like gaming, cooking, and learning without interruptions.
- Works on all devices: Use Premium Lite on your phone, laptop, or TV.
- What’s not included:
- Ads may still appear on music content, Shorts, and when searching or browsing.
- No offline downloads or background play—those features remain exclusive to the regular YouTube Premium plan.
ALSO READ: The 6 Best Subscriptions Worth Spending On Today
Cathay Pacific offers $160 off flights to celebrate “World’s Best Economy” win
Cathay Pacific is marking its second consecutive “World’s Best Economy Class Airline” title by offering Singapore travellers $160 off Economy flights to destinations worldwide (excluding Hong Kong, Tokyo, Osaka, and Taipei). This special deal is available to Cathay members who book round-trip tickets by 22 Jul 2025, for travel between 15 Sep 2025 and 31 Mar 2026.
The promotion arrives after Cathay Pacific was recognised at the 2025 Skytrax World Airline Awards as one of the world’s top three airlines, thanks to its comfortable seating, quality inflight meals, and award-winning entertainment. The offer requires a minimum of two travellers per booking.
Key offer details:
| Discount | $160 off (min. 2 persons/booking) |
| Booking period | Until 22 July 2025 |
| Travel period | 15 Sept 2025–31 Mar 2026 |
| Destinations | Worldwide (excl. Hong Kong, Tokyo, Osaka, Taipei) |
Travellers must be Cathay members, but sign-up is free. Seats are limited and terms apply. Bookings can be made through Cathay’s website.
ALSO READ: Airline Travel Insurance—Are These Worth Adding to Your Flight Booking?
ComfortDelGro to introduce new taxi cancellation and waiting fees from September
Singapore’s largest taxi operator, ComfortDelGro (CDG), will soon roll out new cancellation and waiting fees for customers, aiming to improve fairness and reliability for both drivers and passengers. From 1 Sep 2025, a $3 fee will be charged for last-minute ride cancellations, with stricter penalties for repeated cancellations or cancelling after the taxi has arrived. If you cancel after using up your monthly quota of 4 “free” cancellations, or if the taxi has already reached the pick-up point, the fee rises to $4.
A new waiting fee will also start from 15 Oct 2025. After the first four minutes of waiting at the pick-up, customers will be charged $3 for every additional five minutes, up to a maximum of $9. No-show fees of $5 will also apply if customers fail to show up five minutes after the taxi’s arrival.
CDG says these changes—automatically applied for cashless payments—are designed to ensure drivers are fairly compensated and encourage more responsible booking habits. A waiver period will give users time to adjust.
Manulife and Forbes study: Even Singapore’s wealthy feel anxious about ageing
A new study from Manulife Singapore and Forbes Insights reveals that even high-net-worth individuals (HNWIs) in Singapore—those with over $1 million in investable assets—aren’t entirely confident about ageing well, despite their financial means.
Key findings:
- Health is a top priority: 94% say nothing matters more, but only 44% feel very confident about staying healthy after retirement.
- Financial doubts persist:
- Only 44% feel financially prepared for long-term care and medical expenses.
- Less than half (47%) are confident their plans will cover disability or incapacity.
| Main barriers to confidence | % of HNWIs affected |
| Mental health pressures | 34% |
| Complex healthcare & insurance | 32% |
| Adopting new healthy habits | 30% |
| Integrating care costs into plans | 29% |
Many are taking steps—using wearables, staying active, and consulting wellness experts—but worries remain. The study highlights that Singapore’s wealthy value quality and meaning in life, not just longevity, and need more integrated planning for the years ahead.
Sun Life study: Inflation hits even high-income earners in Singapore
A new report from the Sun Life Asia Financial Resilience Index finds that inflation is squeezing everyone in Singapore—including those with higher incomes. Despite earning more, 89% of high-income respondents feel the pinch of rising prices, and 43% say it significantly affects their ability to cover monthly expenses.
Other key findings:
- Short-term focus:
- 57% of all respondents lack a financial plan beyond 12 months.
- Only 8% plan more than 10 years ahead (even lower for high-income earners at 5%).
- Financial priorities have shifted:
- 60% now put daily expenses first, up from 43% last year.
- Retirement planning has dropped to sixth place among financial priorities.
- Building emergency savings is now the second priority (41%).
| Generation | Feel financially secure |
| Baby Boomers | 76% |
| Millennials | 72% |
| Gen Z | 61% |
Gen Z in Singapore feels the least secure, with many not seeking help for financial decisions and tending to focus on the short term. The study highlights a clear need for more long-term planning, better financial literacy, and resilience across all income levels.
Singapore’s economy grows 4.3% in Q2, but headwinds loom
Singapore’s economy expanded by 4.3% in the second quarter of 2025, according to early estimates from the Ministry of Trade and Industry (MTI)—a slight acceleration from 4.1% in the first quarter. However, MTI warns of “significant uncertainty and downside risks” for the rest of the year, mainly due to the unclear outlook around new US tariffs.
Key highlights:
- Growth outlook:
- GDP forecast for 2025 has been revised to 0–2% due to the impact of US tariffs.
- A new economic task force is launching grants to support businesses facing higher tariffs.
- Quarterly growth:
- On a quarter-on-quarter basis, the economy rebounded with 1.4% growth after a slight contraction earlier this year.
| Sector | Q2 2025 Growth (YoY) | Q1 2025 Growth (YoY) |
| Manufacturing | 5.5% | 4.4% |
| Construction | 4.9% | 5.1% |
| Wholesale, retail, transportation, storage | 4.8% | 4.6% |
| Info, finance, professional services | 3.8% | 3.7% |
| Accommodation, food, real estate, etc. | 3.4% | 2.3% |
What to watch for:
- Growth could slow in the second half as global tariffs weigh on trade and business sentiment.
- Export-oriented sectors may face the biggest challenges.
- Sectors like semiconductors and pharmaceuticals could be particularly affected by new tariffs.
Despite the strong start to 2025, analysts remain cautious given the uncertain global outlook, especially with ongoing US trade policy changes.
Colliers report: Singapore ranks among top global cities for tech and AI talent
Singapore is now ranked as one of the world’s leading cities for tech talent, tying for fourth place globally in Colliers’ latest tech talent acquisition index. It stands out as the only non-Indian city in the top five, reflecting strong demand for roles in areas such as artificial intelligence (AI), cybersecurity, and data science.
Key takeaways:
- Global ranking:
- Singapore ties for 4th in tech talent acquisition, alongside Mumbai and Chennai.
- Ranks 8th for one-year hiring momentum.
- Strong job market:
- Surge in open tech jobs, especially AI-related roles.
- 36% of the world’s tech talent is now concentrated in just 10 cities.
| Top 5 cities for tech talent (talent acquisition) |
| San Francisco Bay Area |
| Seattle |
| New York City |
| Singapore, Mumbai, Chennai (tied) |
Trends to watch:
- AI jobs rising:
- Global AI job listings have jumped 68% since late 2022.
- Traditional IT job postings have fallen by 27% in the same period.
- High demand for data scientists and security analysts:
- Data scientist jobs expected to grow by 36% by 2032.
- Demand for information security analysts has jumped 33% in just one year.
The report highlights that while the US, China, and India still dominate the global tech landscape, cities like Singapore, Seoul, and Sydney are quickly gaining ground as major innovation hubs, especially in fast-growing sectors like AI and cybersecurity.
New private home sales in Singapore dip for fourth month, but more launches expected
New private home sales in Singapore slipped for the fourth straight month in Jun 2025, as cautious market sentiment and the June school holidays took their toll. Developers sold 272 new private homes (excluding executive condominiums, or ECs), down from 312 units in May, even though more new units were launched. The Urban Redevelopment Authority reported that June’s tally is still nearly 20% higher than the same month last year.
The market was affected by global uncertainties, small-scale launches, and the traditional mid-year lull. Notably, city-fringe projects like One Marina Gardens and Bloomsbury Residences attracted investor interest, while demand in the luxury segment remained resilient. Four condos were sold for over $10 million each—one of which, a Skywaters Residences unit, fetched $30.9 million.
Key figures for Jun 2025:
- 272 new private homes sold (excluding ECs)
- 305 units sold including ECs
- Median launch prices: around $2,900 psf for new freehold projects (Arina East Residences, Amber House)
| Project | Units Sold | Median Price (psf) |
| One Marina Gardens | 49 | $2,962 |
| Bloomsbury Residences | 30 | $2,516 |
Looking ahead, analysts expect new launches in July—such as LyndenWoods and Upperhouse—to lift market activity, supported by improved economic conditions and lower interest rates. Local buyers are still expected to be the main force in the market, as high stamp duties continue to limit foreign demand.
Singlife and GXS Bank team up: insurance meets digital investing
Singlife has just partnered with GXS Bank to offer something new for digital investors in Singapore. If you’re using GXS Invest—the bank’s digital investment platform—you can now invest in the Fullerton SGD Cash Fund (Class G) and automatically get complimentary personal accident insurance underwritten by Singlife.
What’s in it for you?
- Automatic protection: Eligible investors get insurance for accidental death and total permanent disability, without any extra sign-up steps.
- Accidental death or disability benefit: Up to 3x investment (capped at $100,000)
- Easy access: Everything is managed through the GXS Bank app.
This partnership marks a shift in Singapore’s financial scene, where insurance and investment products are typically kept separate. Now, eligible GXS Invest users have the option to access both in one place—investment and personal accident coverage are bundled together, making financial protection more straightforward for customers.
That’s it for this week! Stay tuned for next week’s What’s Happening This Week to keep up with the latest in finance, business, and beyond.
This article was first drafted with the help of AI and later reviewed and refined by the author.
About the author
Vanessa Nah likes her finance articles the way she likes her sitcoms—light-hearted, entertaining, and leaving people knowing a little more about life. She believes money—like life—should be made simple. Outside of work, you’ll find Vanessa attending dance classes, fingerpicking a guitar, and fulfilling her life mission to make her one-eyed cat the most spoiled kitty in the world.
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