According to a recent report by the Pew Research Center, Southeast Asians are among the world's strongest believers in the supernatural. This study surveyed adults across 35 countries to explore how traditional mysticism persists alongside modern life.
Belief in magic is significantly less common in many parts of North America and Europe. However, it remains a substantial part of the cultural landscape in South and Southeast Asia.
For instance, only 16% of Buddhists in Japan consult fortune tellers, but about one-third of Buddhists in Thailand and Singapore report using horoscopes or fortune-tellers to see the future.
Around 61% of Malaysians also believe in the power of spells. This shows that the region’s spiritual identity is uniquely strong.
Malaysia’s High Belief in Spells and Curses
Based on the survey results, Malaysia is among the global countries with a high belief that spells, curses, or other magic can influence people’s lives. Globally, Malaysia ranks seventh on the list, sitting just below Ghana, Kenya, Colombia, Nigeria, South Africa, and Chile.
Even so, this 61% belief rate among Malaysian adults is still the highest within the ASEAN region. This high percentage places Malaysia significantly above the global 35-country median of 45%.
It also puts the nation ahead of its regional neighbors like the Philippines at 55%, Singapore at 52%, Thailand at 49%, and Indonesia at 48%.
The Singapore Paradox: Faith and Magic
Despite being known as a highly developed country and a global financial hub, Singapore still holds a strong belief in the supernatural. In fact, over half of its population believes in the power of spells and magic.
The data highlights a fascinating trend where Christians are generally more likely than religiously unaffiliated adults to believe that spells, curses, or magic can influence lives. In Singapore, for instance, 50% of Christians hold this belief, compared with 36% of adults who do not follow any religion.
This shows a unique paradox where a modern lifestyle and formal religious devotion do not replace ancient mystical beliefs. Instead, they successfully coexist.
Believing in Fortune Teller or Horoscope
Most people globally are skeptical of fortune-telling. Globally, South Africa (47%) and and India (45%) stand out with the highest adults who consult fortune tellers or horoscope. Other countries with relatively high engagement including Kenya (23%), South Korea (20%), and Sri Lanka (20%).
However, in Southeast Asia, Thailand leads the surveyed in this specific practice with 29% of adults who consult fortune tellers or horoscope. This is notably higher than any other country. Specifically, about one-third of Buddhists in Thailand engage in this practice.
It is also worth noting that there is a difference in how these practices are viewed compared to beliefs in spells and magic. For instance, while Malaysia has the highest belief in spells and curses (61%) in the region, they are much less likely to consult a horoscope (10%). In contrast, Thailand shows a more balanced engagement with both.
The Demographic and Spiritual Drivers of Belief
These spiritual practices are also shaped by clear demographic and behavioral trends. In almost every country surveyed, women are more likely than men to consult fortune tellers or use horoscopes. This pattern is seen clearly in Japan, where 25% of women engage in such practices compared to just 13% of men.
Furthermore, there is a notable correlation between traditional piety and mystical belief. People who pray daily are often more likely to believe in the influence of spells and magic than those who pray less frequently.
For Southeast Asia, these findings underscore a resilient cultural identity where the mystical remains a functional part of the modern experience. It proves that the region’s people are not ready to trade their ancient traditions for a purely secular worldview, even in the face of rapid modernization.
