Singapore's $2.6 Trillion Massive Foreign Debt

Singapore has one of the world's highest foreign debts!
Narrated by Tom McKay
Video Edited by Iyanbriandi
Inquiries: [e-mail]
Brought to you by the Behind Asian Team.

[@BehindAsia]

Do you think having a big foreign debt is bad for Singapore? Let us know down below!

[@joeallencaseres2035]

Absolutely yes

[@jerichochee1272]

Some debt is helpful. They can have a little, as a treat.

[@ericchong4252]

Too much debt

[@ChandraChandra-er7nf]

Yes.. SG will go down

[@infiniteandunlimitedabundance]

Debt is always a ticking time bomb. When foreigners deposited a huge amount of funds into Singapore, these people will withdraw the funds during crisis. Country like Japan has a huge dept higher than Singapore but that didn't bankrupt the country. Probably because the country has a strong manufacturing industries backing the income of the country. My point is Singapore should diverse its dependence on foreign funds. Should instead encourage its people to heavily engage in all sectors of manufacturing industries including high-tech equipments. Standing on your own two feet is always safer and better than depending on others to support you.

[@khoolw2501]

The $2.6T are Singapore bank loans to the neighbours. It’s bank assets, not debt owed by the SG gov. Where did you learn finance?

[@coclim5712]

He is just a joker….

[@blacksheepshepherd]

Philippines.. Where else?

[@h.l6849]

1. Singapore's gross external debt = TOTAL Public and Private debts owed to non-residents that are repayable in internationally acceptable currencies, goods, or services. 2. The video is accurate in its explanation that the majority of these gross external 'debts' r debt liabilities in Singapore's banking sector - a reflection of Singapore's stature as a financial centre. 3. When the bank receives a deposit, this is recorded as a liability / loan from the depositer. Only when the bank lends out the money, then its recorded in its books as an "asset" because it has given a loan to a borrower. So in our case, our banks have a lot of money deposited from overseas. Hence, the huge external debt. 4. SG is unlike most countries with huge external debt, which borrow to spent now and pay later with interests. E.g USA . Hence, our huge external debt is generally fine unless the banks are hit by 2009 subprime level type of industry specific crisis. In such situation of cse sg economy would be affected, but even then, SG won't be bankrupted cos these mainly affect the foreign banks. Unlike USA for example, SG has no need for debt or the need to keep increasing its debt ceiling limit so as to borrow more money, just to keep the country running.

[@h.l6849]

Let MOF explains. www.mof.gov.sg/news-publications/media-articles/askST-Why-does-Singapore-have-an-external-debt-of-US1-766-trillion-

[@frankiechong9284]

When foreigners deposited money in local banks, it is considered a liability to private banks but not a debt/borrowing. Will not count in foreign debt. Pls chk AI b4 anyhow to mislead ppl.

[@MrGunster]

3:03 is not Singapore @_@

[@clementihammock7572]

occasionally this trick was done deliberately, to gaslight Sg is part of China.

[@arnoldgoh5625]

I was gonna say

[@singapoo]

As one of the world's leading financial centres, the external debts are mainly deposits kept in Singapore banks by overseas banks and depositors. When borrowers take up loans, these deposits become part of the external assets. Importantly, the investment returns are more than sufficient to cover debt servicing costs.

[@Abdul_Rahman86]

Depends what Singapore does with the DEBT. Sometimes DEBT produces income if it’s spent in the right way. I’d rather be $100k in debt but generate plenty of Cash flow that not only covers my debt repayment obligations but also give my a profit than have $100k worth of income which I have to pay taxes on and will inevitably corrode away due to inflation .

[@asyongmatipid2]

That scenario is easier said than done. If the debt keeps growing relative to the size of the economy it only means one thing and that is Singapore just like a lot of so-called developed nations is just kicking the can down the road. Let's hope that can doesn't hit a brick wall in a dead-end alley. : )

[@Hujjathullah-fz7qh]

By the standards of the USA's national debt of over 33 trillion dollars and still get to be a global superpower, Singapore's effective debt horizon is still way far off ! 😂

[@asyongmatipid2]

@@Hujjathullah-fz7qh You're forgetting one thing. The US has plenty of people to pay off their debt and it attracts the highest FDI in the world at around $4.3 Trillion a year. Other than that it also has a lot of government owned land and other assets to liquidate to help pay off that debt.

[@Hujjathullah-fz7qh]

@asyongmatipid2 . Your good points are valid but you seem to forget one factor which can work in Singapore's favour even over-riding those important ones : Singapore will not be abandoned by the Zio-Con lobby which bankrolls the US, its fintech entities such as BlackRock and the global imperiallists they together spawn. From this dimension Singapore's strength may be closer to the US if not better !

[@asyongmatipid2]

@@Hujjathullah-fz7qh If there's one thing you should learn is that folks who control this planet thru usury have no loyalties as far as countries go. They are only loyal to their money and when it's no longer profitable or convenient for them to remain at a certain location they can just as easily transfer their funds elsewhere as when they invested in the first place.

[@arnoldgoh5625]

3:04 is not an image of Singapore

[@blacksheepshepherd]

Sour grapes everywhere as usual.. 🍇

[@drsolo7]

Not just, i feel like it also could be deliberate to attack our economy through loss of confidence of our currency

[@soosainathan1753]

In short if external sources feel confident enough to pump in money from other countries, it show confidence in the system and governance. Just how much of that money originates from Indonesia, Malaysia Brunei etc. It is reflected in the strength of its currency.

[@oberen]

Guess they didn’t put the true meaning of external debt here. It is the outstanding amount of current and not contingent liabilities owed to foreigners by residents.

[@benbullUV]

Nothing to shout about is the trustworthiness and confident of a country administration that count international communities looking at.

[@jacksim8500]

No problem at all. Singapore is a trusted financial hub and all the billionaires are parking their money here. So that is normal for banks to lend deposits.

[@IncomeCreatorAcademy]

It’s for the good of Singapore with all these debts. There is a comprehensive video on TikTok explaining this debt issue.

[@pichupich3941]

Great video.

[@cac1504]

Ok to borrow money to make more money. For example, build more HDB BTO and charge high price.

[@eewinstorn4122]

Do you know why so many billionaires park their money in Singapore?

[@thatone8085]

Singapore government is 100% good in collecting money from its citizens so that's huge money collected every year going to the government. Singapore can afford to spend more than 10 billions dollars to buy military weapons to defend singapore . How come the government got debt but i do know normal singaporeans may have some debt to pay.

[@danieltan8734]

Sin as an external debt from the have, and reinvest back to the country who save money in Sin. so how much the Net Asset of Singapore ? if Sin in Crisis, Who loss ?

[@wwbren]

The whole video is made just for that 2 sec at 1:31. One has to think why this is highlighted for a topic that's only mildly relevant (Video can't even say China is one of the creditors of Singapore). Japan was just thrown in as a red herring.

[@oldtabrough1026]

After watching this video, I still have no idea what he is talking. I failed my Economics during my A-levels exam

[@coclim5712]

lol….i passed with flying colours but I also dun understand…😡😡😡

[@rajathispore2792]

@@coclim5712 probably you "rot" learned.

[@kokkeeSeck-xs5yj]

Who are Singapore’s creditors???

[@2001lextalionis]

As with most economic indicators and govt spending, its going to boil down to how the money was spent and service cost of the debt

[@simonsimon2888]

Is it another Switzerland?

[@kamsanajmain4381]

Well ...with the right person leading I'm sure we'll be able to overcome anything✊

[@KaijiSingaporeVegan]

Singapore is smart. It take low interest loans and invests in high valued capital.

[@weeshooen9510]

If the foreign debt is not the Sg sovereign debt owed to IMF or World Bank, Sg govt has no risk of becoming bankrupt.

[@chuageokseng2168]

National debt Versus Singapore bond rating AAA ranking.

[@chuageokseng2168]

Malaysia bond rating BBB ranking.

[@chuageokseng2168]

Good debt Versus Bad debt.

[@rajathispore2792]

@@chuageokseng2168 Nice one.

[@lawrencekoh]

*make Singapore* *Own Lands, Assets, etc* *in Worldwide*

[@hikkomorisg]

“If you owe your bank manager a thousand pounds, you are at his mercy. If you owe him a million pounds, he is at yours.” - John Maynard Keynes

[@jimcuerlusano7091]

and for Malaysian foreign debt versus philippines they have 2 tines higher versus philioppines but their population is very fee versus ph population

[@CCLow-jr7um]

National debt is just a reportinhg mechsnism that doesn't mean much. Just like debits and credits in accounting, when you put a debit figure in the accounts you have to put the same equivalent and credit it somewhere else to balance up. So assets and liabilities must balance up or else something is missing. Debts, in this sense, does npt really mean debts per se, unlesss it is real borrowing that is evidenced by contracts.

[@gavinhcc]

Lame excuses. Even after excluding the foreign deposits, Singapore foreign debt still stands at 1.3 trillion dollars, among the highest in the world.

[@khairuljaffar5979]

Lol still zero net debt overall. Plus, that money is being put to work in keeping markets liquid or invested in long-term projects that would benefit the country. We have low interest rates. It makes sense to borrow, rather than raise taxes or dip into our reserves.

[@lktan224]

Then how can Singapore buy advance submarines, build 6 new large frigates and F35A and F35B when are neighbours can’t. Please use your given brain if you had one.

[@hanselbarlowe2575]

Oh yey go singapore love from the usa❤

[@biibikiki1304]

Woah using misleading headlines to attract views !!!! look at Singapore's financial and progress you will see that our country has one of the healthiest and progressive economy. Not forgetting the stability.

[@andw162]

That why Singaporean everything up.

[@icinli]

but I like watching your videos while i'm drunk.

[@sharont6566]

The trouble when you don’t learn enough . Looking at debts without checking assets is a 1 sided info . Borrow cheaply with AAA credit rating to generate $ is better than letting money lying around . Some cautions and diversity in investment is the way to go . 😊

[@rrs2023]

Only one question ⁉️ who is paying the debts ???😅

[@jimcuerlusano7091]

their foreign debt is 10 times higher versus philippines and for china their foreign debt is 80 times higher versus philippines and for america usa their foreign debt is 310 time higher versus philippines

[@jimcuerlusano7091]

2.6 trillion singapore dollar when converted to ph peso is 117 trillion ph peso but ph foreign debt is only 12 trillion ph peso and rising to 15 trillion ph peso because of current inflation and interest rate

[@alma09876]

Singapore's debt is the sovereign guarantee to their banks which invested overseas. Overall, their debt is still positive assets.

[@davidtoh83]

Too much pag pag?

[@ohcho-fg4co]

If debtors cannot payback, Singapore will be responsible and in big trouble.

[@frankiechong9284]

Foreigners deposited money in local banks considered as foreign debt? Really dunno what to say...

[@cliffchua7908]

the picture /video of Singapore is not Singapore. please get that right to gain more credibility

[@kokyantam5936]

Must be ok as the Singapore currency is still highly rated.

[@kokkeeSeck-xs5yj]

Monies borrowed from China are deposited in Singapore banks for loans by Singapore banks? Such examples are Singapore's external debts!!

[@PhiloSurfer]

How wrong can you be! Singapore does not have $2.6 trillion foreign debt! In fact, Singapore is a net creditor to the world. Singapore's debt is public debt - largely domestic debt because of debt securities issued to broaden and deepen the debt market. Singapore has the highest per capita gold and forex reserves in the world. Its credit ratings are AAA (Fitch), Aaa (Moody's) and AAA (Standard & Poors).

[@SuzieSimSG]

Utter nonsense.

[@georgetang3489]

Money makes the world go round :)..

[@ohenghwa9549]

How can it be singapore borrow from china

[@pke5384]

Other countries owe Singapore money.not Singapore in Debt

[@agspeedygonzalez604]

This seems like a regurgitation of the explanation from the minister of finance in SG. We are talking Govt debt here, not total external debt. You are mixing things up. Not so accurate this video. Why don’t you draw a comparison with Switzerland … their external debt is 40% and about same size of a financial hub

[@lawrencekoh]

*make Singaporean all are* *Millionaires* *Lawrence Koh Singapore*

[@gangstagummybear3432]

So in other words, it is "rich" because other rich countries put money into it, not that it itself is actually rich.

[@koklianglee]

It is 2.006 trillion not 2.6 trillion

[@bobteo813]

Many will dispute this...This is all design by the World Bank and IMF to shore up Malaysian currency and to be equivalent( RM 1.00 = SGD 1.00) LIKE IT OR NOT...ITS ALL PLANNED.

[@firdauskamaruzaman6714]

Malaysia 97.5 percentage local bank

[@JacksonWong-pw4zq]

Instead of using taxes to oay debts ut went into ministers pockets thus debts keeps increasing m never cleared while singaporeans gets nire sufferings

[@lohti6399]

Title is misleading

[@nikhwalee4252]

SG has no foreign debts.

[@zamanreds]

Not a problem as long as you have means to pay it back. Borrow money to make more money

[@greatndit]

singapore too hot and humid climate

[@davidtoh83]

Coming from US with 35 trillion debt?

[@petertan1502]

To all our sporean, all the banks trust us and load so much money to our country . Great Singapore ❤❤❤

[@quad6752]

Its not good to have so much debts

[@thingsall1347]

Hello Singapore, what can I help you

[@JacksonWong-pw4zq]

Mislead the public songaporeans

[@pid2443]

😂joker singapore owe singapore dollar. The moment i saw him wrote sgd owe sgd, i known he trolling everyone.

[@dsjn712]

Truth be told, Singapore 🇸🇬 Temasik is a long established laundering capital of Asia. Illicit funds from Indonesia alone have been estimated at least at usd 300 billion. Probably closer to usd 400 billion when under Jokowi Indonesia offered a non taxable non prosecutorial amnesty for return of these dirty loot back to Indonesia. Less than usd 30 billion was actually repatriated. Which goes to show the level of sleaze of a cesspool Singapore has descended into. Euphemistically called a " safe haven " for laundering, that is. Now factor in Illicit funds from China, Hong Kong, India, and Russia. Just to name a few. So much for Singapore's pap and lee&lee " Asian values " legacy. With such largesse, the monetary authority of Singapore decided to be lender and borrower itself. As the saying in singgapoh goes, " got money 💰 what for ah " . Legality is a minor negotiable issue in " pragmatic " kiasu red dot. Maju lah singgapoh.

[@gogofmagog2382]

See the point, why Singapore a Nation of barely 5 million migrants in Malay peninsula has 2.6 Trillion dollar Foreign debt! How are they gonna pay for it when they dont have Natural resources, they even get their water to Malaysia.

[@somkiatlchong7832]

Nowadays Goggles will get the answer.

[@jimcuerlusano7091]

It is very true that Ph economy is so strong and stable versus many other countries accross the Globe and Almost similar with Indian economy eventhough indian population is 10 times higher versus philiippines

[@charleswilson8038]

Best thing to have is a money printer. Likr the US.😊

[@NewmaticKe]

Its meaningless to look at debt without comparing assets. Singapore has no net debt

[@ronnie5288]

Borrow too much $ to invest heavily in China..show hand..

[@Jwalker0075]

Reserve 2T !. DEBT -2.6T. Yet they can get million dollars salary. How to clear these debt??an thw be

[@wionporky9937]

Go study finance

[@frankiechong9284]

Really sad...own country how much reserve also dunno...always shiok urself...brain wash till like that.

[@64ytb]

Be careful what you post in social media about Singapore. The government will not hesitate to file charges if it is false. You know that, right?

[@MrGunster]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/e6DMoIqso7BssLc is not Singapore for sure.

[@LilSpinoEdits]

it is singapore, years before the marina bay sands hotel was completed (building with a slight curve at the right) and yet some buildings weren’t even finished.

[@MrGunster]

@@LilSpinoEdits no it's not, that's China ChongQing that look similar to Singapore MBS. google it :)

[@deebusoh9023]

My dog say is a scam

[@alfarisfaris9436]

Wow ur wife can talk… it’s amazing 😅😅

[@horologyenthusiast8523]

Every nation is a slave to the Blue Star.. 😂

[@NaratineNeil]

S'pore has no problem financially!

[@leechengho2821]

Our Government n even our current President haven't revealed anything about our reserves to all Singaporeans, so how do u know, whereas the former late Pres.Ong Teng Cheong did asked for the summary of the Reserves, but was declined by the Govts' staff, giving unreasonable excuses that it would take 56 man years to do so.

[@khooahok4589]

Rich country why trillion debt 😂

[@frankiechong9284]

Becos d country has nothing...zero natural resources...Don borrow eat what?

[@SylviaRodriguezDiamantez]

And pay this debt yes that is my name vault

[@lingth]

Malaysia external debt?? Lol they have more issues with the money going into someone else pockets.

[@Lukeskybutter]

😂😂😂

[@MemoryKasu]

they cannot survive without continuous credit and debt creation. The FED will print more money and the average Singapore will go just that much further in debt. Meanwhile, foreigners lost for the greenback. Their economies are in worse condition than the US... if that's even possible. Someone is going to be left holding the bag...

[@SarachiWowa]

It's a good idea to seek advice at the moment, unless you're an expert yourself. As someone who runs a service business and sells products on eBay, I can tell you that the economy is struggling and many people are struggling financially.

[@noahbeaufort]

you are completely right, Advisors have information and paths that are not disclosed to the public.. I profited $560k in 2023 under the tutelage of my Fiduciary-counselor. Am I selling? Absolutely not.. I am going to sit back and observe how this all plays out.

[@GersderaNioer]

This is precisely why I like having a portfolio coach guide my day-to-day market decisions: with their extensive knowledge of going long and short at the same time, using risk for its asymmetrical upside and laying it off as a hedge against the inevitable downward turns, their skillset makes it nearly impossible for them to underperform. I've been utilizing a portfolio coach for more than two years, and I've made over $800,000.Read more

[@Agatha.wayne0]

I appreciate the implementation of ideas and strategies that result to unmeasurable progress. Being heavily liquid, I'd rather not reinvent the wheel, thus the search for a reputable advisor, mind sharing info of this person guiding you please?

[@GersderaNioer]

‘’Stacy Lynn Staples ’’ is the licensed advisor I use. Just research the name. You’d find necessary details to work with a correspondence to set up an appointment.

[@komeratparewa400]

As long as domestic political stability is maintained and in harmony with Indonesia and Malaysia, whatever Singapore's debt is, it will be safe. On the other hand, if there is a conflict with the two countries, investors will leave.

[@shukriramlee]

Safe your ass! 😂

[@frankielee5623]

SG $ 2.6 trillion debt is bad for the country. If we have too much of money, unused and lay idle, we still have to pay Interests to Depositors. Any ventures also have Risks. Not too much, not too little. Needs balance and to limit how much is enough.

[@bajak3]

Yes your’e right - in banking we called it “expensive fund”

[@neylaw.6272]

This a joke

[@LIEWKAHWAIMoe]

RUBBISH!!

[@nicb.1213]

Singapore's $2.6 Trillion Massive Foreign Debt which Singapore Authority thought financially sound and more stable than big country like China but where is Singapore's $2.6 Trillion Massive Foreign Debt distributed. Is it for country interest or personal interest that went into some one pocket. Singapore Reserved of few hundred billions became virtual unable to trace without the sincere explanation from the authority. These debts must be addressed by the Government, especially by LSL. Better with external audit by a neutral third party to ensure it was not misused.

[@MarinoMartinez-q4x]

Trump 2024-32.

[@hiranperera9663]

Not true😂😂

[@aishahhussien6896]

Who Care?

[@pipipapupipipipapupi]

Click bait rubbish

[@play4funlol309]

stop posting false information

[@wemy70430]

fake

[@kuang1213]

Wu Liao

[@soonhockchua3740]

Fake figures. Spore govt issues Sing $ bonds to create a Sing $ bond market. Seller is Spore, buyer also Spore lah. Please do your research and stop sprouting nonsense.

[@bonkersblock]

Where did you learn finances statistics and economics? 😂 even if Singapore is a wealthy nation? And finances that they manage? They don’t ‘own’ them! Singapore does have a huge foreign reserve though? But when shit hits the fan? And de-globalization finally hits? Singapore is gonna have to to use their foreign reserves to fund their payments and balance their sheets! The difference between external debt and domestic debt is that domestic debt? Your country can always restructure it! But external debt? You have to make payments in due time, otherwise your credit ratings will fall and interest will go up! 🎉

[@chuageokseng2168]

Singapore bond is ranking AAA rating.

[@73jacksoo]

haha

[@Bxw-gh9fq]

This 100% Rubbish😅

[@juliettunchannel5921]

Singapore should stop borrowing money. Singapore should welcome foreign companies to open factories, companies and few banks in Singapore and do business with Singaporeon employees. Singapore should put tariffs on some countries. Singapore should charge countries money for using Singaporeon ports and canals. I am Juliet Tun

[@johnnyang2472]

Just return CPF after 55 so they can retire with dignity