Issue #60: What’s Happening This Week? Tampines BTO Rush, Median Income Hits $12,446, and More

From home-buying buzz to new travel patterns, this week’s news has something for everyone. Flat-hunters have reason to be optimistic, while Singapore’s typical household now has more to spend—but are we any happier at work? Regional getaways are on the rise (and spending big), and major investments promise change in the job market. Savvy flyers can snag an unusual baggage freebie this Lunar New Year, and musical lovers with the right credit card are in for a treat. Here are 7 updates you’ll want to know about.

Psst, missed last week’s issue? View all past editions of What’s Happening This Week? to catch up.

[ms-toc title="Issue #60: What's Happening This Week?"]

Tampines BTO flats with shorter waits are the hottest picks in February launch

The February Build-to-Order (BTO) exercise drew over 14,000 applications by 5 pm on Wednesday (11 Feb), with Tampines projects seeing the fiercest demand. Shorter waiting times and central locations were the key draws for many homebuyers.

Fast facts from the Feb 2026 BTO launch:

• Overall: 4,692 flats across 6 projects (Toa Payoh, Bukit Merah, Sembawang, Tampines)
• Tampines:
  • Most popular estate this round
  • 337 four-room flats attracted 3,260 applicants
  • Application rate for four-room flats:
    • First-timer families: 6.8
    • Second-timer families: 35.8
  • Two-room Flexi flats (Tampines Nova): 122 units drew 2,481 applicants (over 100 singles for each flat!)
  • Wait time: Under 3 years for both projects
• Elsewhere:
  • Sembawang: Only projects with five-room flats, but still under-applied (application rate for five-room: 0.4)
  • Bukit Merah & Toa Payoh: Lukewarm demand—possible market saturation

Why it matters:
Shorter waiting times are a huge plus for buyers who want to move in quickly. With BTO application rates for first-timer families now under 1 for most flat types, your chances are better than in past launches—so it may be a good time to try your luck if you’re in the market for a new home.

ALSO READ: HDB BTO Feb 2026 Review: Expected Application Rates, Prices, Resale Values, Amenities, and More

Back to top

Singapore’s median household income jumps to $12,446, with broader sources included

Singapore’s median monthly household income has hit a record $12,446, reflecting a 6.8% real increase over the past year. This growth comes after the Department of Statistics updated the way income is measured, now counting not just salaries but also rental and investment earnings. That means the figures are a better snapshot of how families actually make ends meet in 2026.

Wage growth has outpaced inflation for most, especially for those on lower incomes. While employment remains the main income source, retirees and some lower-income households are relying more on investments, CPF payouts, and rental income.

Key facts:

• Median household income:
  • 2025: $12,446
  • 2024: $11,558
• Median income per household member:
  • 2025: $4,160
  • 2024: $3,837
• Gini coefficient (income inequality):
  • 2025: 0.452 before taxes/transfers, 0.379 after (lowest since 2015)

Lower-income households enjoyed the fastest wage growth in the past five years, while top earners saw only a slight rise. The majority in one- or two-room HDB flats also received the most government support, keeping things fairer for all.

Back to top

Jobstreet by SEEK: Only 56% of Singapore workers say they’re happy—even though most believe it’s possible

A new study from Jobstreet by SEEK finds that just over half of Singapore’s workers (56%) consider themselves happy at work, putting us behind most Asia-Pacific neighbours—including Malaysia (70%), the Philippines (77%), and Indonesia (82%). Despite this, 8 in 10 local employees still believe workplace happiness is possible.

Key insights for Singapore workers:

• What drives happiness at work?
  • Purpose (strongest factor)
  • Career progression opportunities
  • Day-to-day satisfaction
  • Recognition (only 50% feel valued)
  • Salary is now seen as a baseline, not a differentiator
• Burnout is real:
  • 45% of workers report feeling burnt out
  • Even among those who say they’re happy, 41% still feel exhausted—especially higher earners, men, and parents
• Not everyone is equally happy:
  • Men: 62% report happiness at work
  • Women: 51%
  • Millennials (30–44): least happy (52%), lowest motivation
  • Baby Boomers: happiest group (71%), feel most valued

What can help? Experts say real change means more than just pay rises—employers should connect work to a sense of purpose, create real career pathways, and recognise contributions. For workers, raising issues early and seeking meaning in daily tasks can help fight burnout.

Back to top

Visa study: Singaporeans favour nearby getaways—Malaysia and Japan lead year-end travel

If you’re planning a year-end escape, you’re not alone—Visa’s latest data shows Singapore residents are sticking close to home, with regional trips outpacing long-haul adventures. Malaysia and Japan are still top picks, but there are some interesting new trends worth knowing.

Where Singaporeans are spending (and how you can make the most of it):

• Malaysia
  • #1 for travel spend (up 18% year-on-year)
  • KL and Johor Bahru are the hot spots
• Japan
  • #2 overall; winter destinations like Hokkaido (+28%) and Nagano (+26%) are especially popular
  • Spend is up among affluent travellers
• Thailand & South Korea
  • More exploring of secondary cities (e.g., Chiang Mai, Busan, Jeju)
  • Healthcare spending abroad is booming (up 28% in Thailand, 90% in South Korea!)
• China
  • Jumps to #5, with spend up 80%—Shenzhen and Chengdu are rising stars

Long-haul travel (e.g. France, UK, US) lost steam this year except among the most affluent.

With travel spend surging—especially for big-ticket trips—consider how to make your dollar go further. Many cards, including Visa, now offer enhanced perks for dining, accommodation, and experiences. Before booking, check what your card covers, especially for healthcare or shopping abroad, to maximise value on your next holiday.

Back to top

EDB: Singapore secures $14.2 billion in investments, but job creation slows

Singapore attracted $14.2 billion in fixed asset investments in 2025, according to the Economic Development Board (EDB). While this figure is up from the previous year, the expected number of new jobs—about 15,700 over the next five years—is the lowest in at least 2 decades. The drop reflects global economic caution and the impact of automation.

Investments are still flowing in, especially for manufacturing and high-value sectors. However, the focus is shifting from quantity of jobs to quality, with most new roles paying above $5,000 a month and requiring digital or specialised skills.

Quick snapshot:

• Total investments: $14.2 billion (up from $13.5 billion in 2024)
• Expected jobs: 15,700 (down from 18,700 last year)
• Main sectors:
  • Manufacturing (notably electronics and biomedical)
  • Services
  • R&D and innovation
• Source regions: Europe, China (China’s share surpassed the US for the first time)

The EDB says Singapore must keep building on strengths in areas like advanced manufacturing, AI, and precision medicine to stay competitive. Most of the new jobs will be professional or technical, offering strong pathways for graduates and mid-career talent.

Back to top

Vietjet offers 20kg free checked baggage for Lunar New Year flights to Vietnam

If you’re heading to Vietnam during the Lunar New Year period, you might be able to save on baggage fees. Vietjet is giving travellers 20kg of free checked baggage on Eco tickets for selected international routes from India, China, South Korea, and Japan to Vietnam—if you book by 28 February.

How to take advantage:

• Book early: Secure your ticket by 28 February 2026.
  
• Travel period: Valid for flights from 1–31 March 2026 (exact dates may vary by route).
  
• Perfect for: Those planning to shop, bring back gifts, or pack extra for their trip.
  
• Extra: Get up to 30% off hotels, dining, and spa bookings on Phu Quoc Island if you’re looking to extend your stay.
  

While there’s also a festive menu for Business Class on selected flights, most readers will find the free checked baggage the best way to cut costs this season—making it easier to travel, shop, and bring home souvenirs without worrying about extra fees.

ALSO READ: Why Travel Spending Gets Messy—and the Simple Way to Fix It

Back to top

UOB cardholders get up to 20% off on CATS the musical tickets

Thinking of catching CATS the musical at Marina Bay Sands? Here’s a smart money tip: UOB credit card holders are getting the best ticket discounts in town—perfect if you’re looking for a little entertainment value while working those credit card rewards.

From now till 29 Mar 2026, UOB cardholders enjoy 20% off all ticket categories via Klook, MBS, and SISTIC. After that, a 15% discount is still available for UOB cards on all platforms, while stocks last. Here’s how the offers stack up:

Prices (before discount) start from $68 (off-peak) or $88 (peak)

If you’re a musical junkie like me, deals like these let you stretch your spending. Don’t have a UOB card? This is a handy time to consider applying—whether it’s for the discounts or to make the most of year-round perks.

Tickets are available now via Marina Bay Sands, SISTIC, and Klook.

Back to top

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.