2025 Review of Healthcare and Physiotherapy in Singapore: How Thrive Healthcare Can Support You in 2026
- Thrive Healthcare
- Feb 24
- 7 min read
Look back at Singapore's 2025 healthcare trends. Discover how physiotherapy and preventive healthcare can transform long-term wellness.
2025 has been a big year for Singapore's healthcare. We've seen huge changes: ageing population, more hospitals, new policies pushing preventive healthcare, and a growing recognition of physiotherapy services.
Looking ahead to 2026, these trends will continue accelerating. If you're thinking about your family's health, managing a chronic condition, or planning for ageing parents, understanding what's happening in Singapore's healthcare system matters. Knowing how physiotherapy fits into the picture can genuinely change your health outcomes.
What Has Changed in Singapore's Healthcare in 2025
The Reality of Our Ageing Population
In 2025, more than 20% of Singapore's population were aged 65 or older. By 2030, one in four Singaporeans will be over age 65, and the country's healthcare costs are projected to hit S$30 billion.
Additionally, 37% of older adults in Singapore have up to three or more chronic conditions, representing ageing with increasingly complex health needs. At the same time, working-age citizens (those aged 20-64) have fallen from 64.5% of the population in 2015 to just 59.8% in 2025. This means fewer working people to support older adults, both economically and socially.
Government Policy Shift From Treatment to Prevention
Singapore's government has fundamentally reoriented its health policy approach. The recently refreshed Action Plan for Successful Ageing 2023 emphasises “ageing in place”, enabling seniors to remain in their homes and communities with appropriate support. Simultaneously, we continued to push Healthier SG, which expands preventive healthcare by providing full subsidies for national screenings and vaccinations, and waiving co-payments for chronic care management.
In 2025, 12 Care Protocols focusing on preventive care and management of common chronic conditions - diabetes, hypertension, lipid disorders - were in place, with more being developed. Through Primary Care Networks (PCNs), general practitioners have access to multidisciplinary teams including nurses, care coordinators, and specialists for comprehensive disease detection.
Research shows primary care physicians reported that Healthier SG increased opportunities for them to provide preventive care in their clinics. More importantly, patients themselves showed greater interest and willingness to discuss preventive care.
Massive Healthcare Capacity Expansion
Singapore has undertaken its largest healthcare infrastructure expansion in decades. Since 2020, we have expanded healthcare capacity by over 6,300 beds. More significantly, from 2025 to 2030, Singapore plans to add another 13,600 beds to the healthcare system, including 2,800 public acute and community hospital beds.
Additionally, we are expanding our polyclinic network from 27 to 32 by 2030, bringing primary care closer to communities, and emphasising preventive healthcare accessibility. In November 2025, Serangoon Polyclinic - Singapore’s largest polyclinic - opened with a new model where patients in a family are supported by the same team. Two other polyclinics, Tengah and Kaki Bukit, are projected to be completed by 2026.
The Rise of Physiotherapy as Essential Healthcare
The expansion of physiotherapy services in Singapore reflects a broader recognition of rehabilitation's value in the healthcare ecosystem. What was once considered a post-recovery support service is now recognised as an important component of prevention, pre-operative preparation, and chronic disease management.
According to the Ministry of Health, there are over 2700 registered physiotherapists across Singapore, making professional support increasingly accessible. Singapore's physiotherapy and rehabilitation market is estimated to reach USD 29.2 billion by 2033, growing at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 5.2%. This growth rate is pushed by multiple factors: the ageing population's rehabilitation needs, increased awareness of its physical health benefits, and healthcare system transformation toward preventive care models.
Changes to Singapore’s Healthcare in 2026
Singapore's healthcare system is undergoing significant changes in 2026, reflecting the government's continued focus on preventive healthcare, support for ageing in place, and making healthcare more accessible and affordable.
Enhanced Home Personal Care Services
From early 2026, enhanced Home Personal Care services will be implemented to support seniors who choose to live in their own homes. This means:
Greater professional support for seniors maintaining independence at home
Alignment with the government's push for community-based care over institutional settings
Direct support for home physiotherapy and home rehabilitation expansion
Senior sitting to support caregivers
The Perennial Living Project
The $260 million Perennial Living project - Singapore’s first private assisted living project - will be launched in the first quarter of 2026 in Parry Avenue in Kovan. Managed by Perennial Holdings and co-created by the Ministry of Health and the Urban Redevelopment Authority, the development provides senior-friendly housing integrated with care services, catering to older adults who need daily support but do not require intensive nursing care.
The facility will include 200 suites, 100 nursing home beds, and up to 1.5ha of therapeutic park. Senior residents will receive a comprehensive medical assessment, followed by a six-monthly review.
Matched MediSave Scheme (MMSS)
The Matched MediSave Scheme (MMSS) is a five-year program starting in 2026, designed to enhance healthcare accessibility for senior Singaporeans between the ages of 55 and 70 with limited MediSave savings.
Under the MMSS, the Government matches dollar-for-dollar any cash top-ups made to the MediSave Account (MA) of eligible members, subject to an annual limit of $1,000. Cash top-ups can be made by eligible seniors themselves, their families, employers, and the community.
This program directly supports eldercare and caregiver sustainability. It reduces out-of-pocket costs for seniors and caregivers, making preventive and maintenance care more accessible, which is especially important for managing chronic conditions.
Seniors' Mobility and Enabling Fund (SMF)
To further support seniors ageing in place, the Seniors’ Mobility and Enabling Fund (SMF) for SMF Devices and SMF Consumables will be enhanced in 2026.
The government will extend SMF coverage to Permanent Residents, and broaden the range of supported home healthcare items. Eligible seniors do not need to take any action, as the applicable subsidies will be automatically applied to both existing and new SMF beneficiaries.
Learn more: Seniors' Mobility and Enabling Fund (SMF) - AIC
Integrated Shield Plan (IP) Rider Changes
From April 1, 2026, new IP riders will undergo significant changes to address rising premiums. Key changes include:
New riders won't cover minimum deductibles
Annual co-payment caps double to S$6,000 - IP holders with new riders are required to bear a higher share of their medical expenses.
New riders are expected to be about 30% cheaper than existing maximum coverage plans
Why Physiotherapy and Preventive Care Are the Long-Term Solution
As Singapore’s population continues to age, physiotherapy and preventive care play an important role in the healthcare system’s emphasis on prevention, functional independence, and long-term sustainability.
Cost-Effectiveness
Physiotherapy and preventive care focus on addressing issues early, before they progress into more complex and costly medical conditions. By reducing the risk of injuries, hospital admissions, surgeries, and long-term medication use, preventive physiotherapy helps you manage healthcare expenses more sustainably over time.
53% of studies comparing physiotherapy to no physiotherapy treatment found physiotherapy to be cost-effective. Physiotherapy is especially cost-effective in the majority of studies related to arthritis, chronic low back pain, and chronic neck pain.
Chronic Disease Prevention Through Movement
Physical inactivity is a major problem leading to chronic diseases such as hypertension, diabetes, and cardiovascular conditions, which are especially common among older adults. Research shows that physical activity levels among older adults aged 60–74 are lower than in younger groups, with only about 74% meeting recommended activity levels.
Regular and guided movement plays an important role in preventing and managing chronic conditions. Physiotherapist-led exercise programmes can improve strength, mobility, balance, and cardiovascular health, helping you maintain functional capacity and slow disease progression.
Quality of Life and Independence for Ageing in Place
A core goal of Singapore’s ageing policy is to enable seniors to live independently at home for as long as possible, protecting wellbeing and social engagement.
Physiotherapy can support older adults in maintaining independence by preserving mobility, reducing fall risk, and improving confidence in daily activities. This helps lower the risk of disability and support mental wellbeing, which contribute to a higher quality of life and reduced reliance on caregivers or institutional care.
In other words, seniors are supported to remain active, self-sufficient, and engaged within their communities, making ageing in place safer, more comfortable, and more sustainable in the long term.
How Thrive Healthcare Can Support You In 2026
Thrive Healthcare delivers physiotherapy services that align with Singapore's healthcare changes. Whether you're preparing for surgery, managing a chronic condition, supporting an ageing parent, or investing in preventive wellness, we can help.
Functional Fitness for Older Adults
In our Legends - Fitness for Older Adults programme, qualified physiotherapists deliver strength, mobility, and balance training specifically designed for ageing populations. The program was recognised as a finalist in the 11th Asia Pacific Eldercare Innovation Awards for demonstrating measurable improvement in strength and independence.
This is preventive care for seniors in action: rather than waiting for falls or functional decline, Legends builds the strength and balance needed to maintain independence in your own home.
Physiotherapy: Home and Clinic-Based
Thrive Healthcare offers both home physiotherapy and clinic-based treatment options, allowing you to choose the setting that works best for your situation.
Home physiotherapy eliminates travel barriers, which is critical for seniors or post-operative patients with limited mobility. Our physiotherapists can assess your actual home environment for safety and functionality. Treatment in a familiar environment can better preserve your psychological health, and families can observe and learn caregiving strategies.
Clinic physiotherapy is suitable if you prioritise access to specialised equipment, a professional gym setting, dedicated time away from home distractions, and a motivating atmosphere with other patients.
Prehabilitation: Prepare Before Surgery
Before undergoing an operation, your body needs preparation. Thrive Healthcare's prehabilitation programs prepare patients physically, psychologically, and nutritionally before surgery, reducing complications and optimising recovery.
As Singapore's healthcare system expands capacity and more surgeries are planned, being prepared means faster recovery, shorter hospital stays, and better outcomes. With Thrive Healthcare, you receive a personalised assessment, followed by targeted strength and endurance training, preparation of psychological readiness, and a clear post-operative plan. Our physiotherapist builds the specific physical capacity required for your particular type of surgery.
Chronic Disease Management
We understand that chronic conditions require ongoing and integrated support. Rather than managing medications alone, we complement medical treatment through tailored exercise programs, functional training, and lifestyle coaching.
For patients recovering from cardiac events or managing heart/lung conditions, Thrive Healthcare provides cardiopulmonary rehabilitation, combining exercise therapy with monitoring and education.
For conditions like stroke, Parkinson's, or other neurological disorders, we deliver specialised neurological rehabilitation programs addressing movement, balance, and functional recovery.
Our services also include cancer rehabilitation, disability rehabilitation, and critical illness rehabilitation.
Read more: Conditions We Treat | Thrive Healthcare
Ready to Thrive in 2026? Contact Thrive Healthcare Today
Singapore's 2025 healthcare review and 2026 changes shows a clear direction: integrated care, preventive healthcare emphasis, and support for ageing in place. Rather than waiting for health crises, you can leverage physiotherapy services proactively.
Whether you're navigating senior care, recovering from illness or surgery, or managing chronic illness, Thrive Healthcare offers evidence-based solutions aligned with Singapore's healthcare evolution.
Contact Thrive Healthcare today to get support for you and your family's wellness in 2026 and beyond.
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