Nearly half of firms report increased payment delays

Businesses waited an average of 66.3 days for payment, a report showed.

Nearly half (49%) of firms reported more frequent payment delays over the past year, more than twice the 21% that saw an improvement, according to Coface’s APAC Payment Survey 2026.

The report showed that a further 42% experienced an increase in the severity of delays, compared to 23% who saw an improvement.

Firms recorded an average payment delay of 66.3 days, slightly below the Asia-Pacific (APAC) average of 68.1 days.

Meanwhile, more than half, or 57%, experienced at least one customer default over the past 12 months, compared with 45% across APAC.

Amongst firms that experienced defaults, 31% said these affected more than 10% of total receivables, against 28% regionally.

Construction recorded the longest average payment delay at 85 days, above Singapore’s overall average of 66.3 days.

Coface said the construction pipeline is also expanding, with the Building and Construction Authority expecting construction demand of between $47b and $53b this year.

Looking ahead, 52% of respondents expect payment conditions to deteriorate over the coming year, with retail and chemicals firms amongst the most pessimistic.

Coface said 65% of Singapore firms wait until payment delays exceed 60 days before tightening payment terms or credit controls, compared with 47% across APAC.

Only 11% treat repeated delays of around 30 days as an immediate warning signal, it added.

The survey, conducted in March and April, covered 2,800 finance professionals across 10 APAC markets, including 152 respondents in Singapore.

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