Economic Strategy Review 2026: 5 key takeaways for Singapore workers in an AI-driven economy

• The Economic Strategy Review (ESR) outlines how Singapore can strengthen its competitiveness and resilience amid rapid technological change and growing global uncertainty.

• Workers are encouraged to embrace lifelong learning and AI literacy, highlighting the growing importance of continuous upskilling and hybrid AI-enabled roles.

• Human skills remain critical in the AI age, with critical thinking, communication, judgement and empathy expected to become increasingly valuable.

• Career resilience will be key, as workers are encouraged to plan ahead, tap career support services early, and remain open to international and entrepreneurial opportunities.

As the global environment becomes more contested, fragmented and fast-changing, the Economic Strategy Review (ESR) committees have released their final report on how Singapore should respond to these structural shifts.

Issued by the Ministry of Digital Development and Information (MDDI) on 24 June 2026, the ESR report highlights the need for Singapore to sharpen its value proposition, build its adaptability, and strengthen its agility.

The ESR Report also expands on the committees’ recommendations, which were first announced on 13 May 2026.

The full report can be found on MDDI’s website.

5 Takeaways for workers

While the ESR's eight thrusts are largely directed at policymakers and businesses, the report also offers clear signals on what workers can do to stay relevant and resilient.

1. Make lifelong learning a habit

The ESR calls for stronger support for continual learning throughout a person's working life, including deeper reskilling at different career stages.

Workers are encouraged to make use of modular and stackable training pathways that allow them to upgrade while remaining employed.

2. Learn to work with AI

Rather than viewing AI as a threat, workers are encouraged to develop AI literacy alongside expertise in their own fields.

The ESR envisions hybrid roles that combine AI capabilities with sector knowledge in areas such as healthcare, finance and manufacturing.

3. Strengthen uniquely human skills

As AI becomes more capable, the ESR highlighted that human qualities will become even more valuable.

The report therefore highlighted critical thinking, communication, judgement and empathy as skills that complement technology and can help workers remain competitive in the future workplace.

4. Take charge of career planning early

The report also noted that career transitions are likely to become more common in the future of work.

Workers are therefore encouraged to make use of career guidance, skills assessments and job-matching services early, rather than waiting till they are unemployed or retrenched.

5. Stay open to new opportunities

The report highlights global exposure and entrepreneurship as increasingly important pathways.

International experience can help workers navigate different markets and cultures, while entrepreneurship is expected to become a more viable career option as technology lowers barriers to starting and growing businesses.

ESR recommendations shaped by ground feedback

Since its formation in August 2025, the ESR committees conducted more than 80 engagements and consultations with trade associations, unions, businesses and workers, reaching over 7,700 stakeholders across various sectors.

The consultations included cross-committee sessions with the NTUC, Singapore National Employers Federation (SNEF) and Singapore Business Federation (SBF).

Feedback gathered during these engagements helped shape the report's recommendations on workforce development, AI adoption and economic restructuring.

During a dialogue with about 120 NTUC union leaders, concerns were raised about AI's impact on jobs, particularly for workers in roles at risk of displacement.

The discussion reinforced the need for clearer training pathways, targeted support for different worker groups and a stronger culture of lifelong learning.