Einar H. Dyvik
Research expert covering Nordics and global data for society, economy, and politics
The economy of the ASEAN countries - statistics & facts
With tensions rising between the United States and China, focus is turning toward the members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) as a market for potential production and investments. The ASEAN countries boast high gross domestic product (GDP) growth rates, a young population, and booming industrial and technological sectors. Moreover, the countries are rich in natural resources but vulnerable to climate change, so investors in renewable energy and climate conservationists alike draw their interest toward Southeast Asia. However, the looming tensions between the United States and China as well as territorial disputes in the South China Sea put the ASEAN countries in difficult strategic positions, while they also offer opportunities. Furthermore, the different member states have different and conflicting interests on different topics. Where do ASEAN countries stand today? And which geopolitical challenges are they facing?
