Southeast Asia's Poverty Rate, 2022-2023

Seasia Stats has released its latest report on poverty rates across Southeast Asia, highlighting the percentage of the population living below the national poverty line for the years 2022 and 2023. This comprehensive analysis provides insight into the economic disparities within the region, based on data from various authoritative sources including the United Nations Development Program (UNDP), the Ministry of Finance of the Republic of Indonesia, the Philippine Statistics Authority, the Singapore Department of Statistics, the Asian Development Bank, and Statista 2024.

Key Findings

1. Myanmar stands out with the highest poverty rate in Southeast Asia, with 49.7% of its population living below the national poverty line as of 2023. This stark statistic underscores the severe economic challenges faced by Myanmar.

2. Timor-Leste follows closely with a poverty rate of 48.3% in 2022. The high percentage indicates ongoing struggles with poverty despite international aid and development efforts.

3. Cambodia has a poverty rate of 16.6% as of 2022. While significantly lower than Myanmar and Timor-Leste, this rate still reflects considerable socio-economic challenges.

4. Philippines reports a poverty rate of 15.5% for 2023. The figure suggests ongoing issues in poverty reduction, though it represents progress compared to some of its regional counterparts.

5. Indonesia has a poverty rate of 9.03% in 2023, showing a moderate level of poverty compared to its neighbors. This reflects relatively better economic conditions within the country.

6. Malaysia reports an 8.4% poverty rate for 2022. Although Malaysia is one of the more affluent countries in the region, it still faces notable poverty issues.

7. Thailand has a lower poverty rate of 5.4% as of 2022. This indicates that Thailand has been relatively successful in managing poverty compared to many of its Southeast Asian peers.

8. Viet Nam boasts the lowest poverty rate in the region at 3.4% in 2023. This significant achievement highlights Viet Nam’s progress in economic development and poverty alleviation.

9. Singapore reports a poverty rate of 0% for 2023, reflecting its high standard of living and strong economic performance. Singapore’s zero poverty rate underscores its economic success and effective social policies.

Additional Notes

• Data for Laos remains outdated, with the latest available figures from 2018 indicating a poverty rate of 18.3%. No new data is available for the 2022-2023 period.
• Brunei Darussalam does not have available poverty data from recent sources, making it difficult to assess its current poverty rate.

This report highlights the diverse economic landscapes within Southeast Asia, showcasing significant progress in some countries while also pointing to ongoing challenges in others. The variations in poverty rates across the region reflect the complex interplay of economic development, social policies, and external factors affecting each nation.