ASEAN Digital Generation Survey Calls for Joint Action for an Inclusive and Sustainable Digital Economy
Geneva, Switzerland, 13 October 2021 – The World Economic Forum launches today the ASEAN Digital Generation Report 2021, a special edition of its annual ASEAN youth survey report series, which examines the impact of the pandemic on personal income, savings and the role of digitalization in the region’s economic recovery. The report’s survey, conducted with close to 90,000 participants from Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Viet Nam, also flags the gaps needed to build a more inclusive and sustainable economy, namely: access 30 europeanbusinessmagazine.com
to technology, digital skills training for all generations, and measures to enhance online trust and security. The survey’s findings confirm e-commerce’s role as the key driver of growth in the ASEAN region. Wholesale and retail trade sector had the highest proportion of people starting new businesses (50%), while the logistics sector had the highest share of people finding new jobs (36%). Notably, respondents from these two sectors are among those who also reported a decline in income. This could be because when people
experienced a fall in income, they started new businesses in the wholesale and retail trade sector to leverage e-commerce opportunities. A majority of respondents have adapted to the challenges of the coronavirus pandemic through significant digital adoption. Across ASEAN, 64% of respondents have digitalized 50% or more of their tasks, as have 84% of respondents who are owners of micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs). Respondents who reported greater levels of digitalization of their work and business reported lower levels of income
