REGIONAL CHALLENGES IN

SOUTHEAST ASIA

Dr. Sauwalak KittiprapasApril 24, 2015Presented at Rangsit University

REGIONAL CHALLENGES (1)

Poverty incidence has declined, but sill significant (15%) of ASEAN population. Plus multidimensional poverty and pockets of poverty.

Development gaps within each country and across countries, as well as among ASEAN 6 and CLMV.

Human Development Index has shown slow improvement, compared to economic indicators, although gaps among ASEAN 6 and CLMV has slightly declined.

The shifting to more urbanization and modernization affect energy consumption, infrastructure investment, environment and health problems.

REGIONAL CHALLENGES (2)

Millennium development goals (MDG) targets has shown improvement in poverty reduction and health conditions, but slow in providing basic education for all and improving drinking water sources. Main problem is the decline in environmental sustainability.

Social Progress Index (SPI), particularly in terms of advanced education, opportunities, freedom and choices, tolerance and inclusion, have not consistent with economic indicators.

Perceived well-being and happiness indicators have not consistent with economic indicators

REGIONAL CHALLENGES (3)

ASEAN Community Building

AEC: still has problems in non-tariff barrier, services, investment, and skilled labor

Regional interests VS national interests, political will

Regional connectivity

Regional integration with non-ASEAN members; i.e, RCEP, TPP

Post 2015 development agenda

GENDER INEQUALITY

Gender inequality in socio-economic still exist, although women participation rate in education and economic indicators have increased.

Gender disparity still large in political participation, although has improved.

Low-paid female and informal workers as well as undocumented migrants have not received proper treatment associated with high risks.

KEY PROBLEMS REQUIRING REGIONAL SOLUTIONS Inclusive growth and multidimensional approach of human development.

Ensure equitable outcomes and redistribution as well as effective social protection

Ensure regional common benefits

Development pillars within AEC as well as among the 3 main AEC, ASCC, and APSC should go along in harmony, not converse.

Improve communications channels with local ASEAN citizens

More bottom-up to the top-down regional development schemes.

KEY PROBLEMS REQUIRING REGIONAL SOLUTIONS Investing human resources for narrowing human capital gap and regional development gaps. More developed countries can help.

Manage cross-country issues, i.e., environment, human trafficking/ migration particularly vulnerable women and children.

Development partners should work in partnership for development programs. There are many actors/ donors work in similar issues.

Develop ASEAN regional approaches/strategies, particularly for the global post-2015 development agenda

Outcome Indicators Benchmark Latest Data

Status Year Value Year Value

GDP per capita (PPP$)

ASEAN average 2000 2882 2011 5581 Increasing

ASEAN6: CLMV ratio 2000 3.4 2011 2.6 Converging

Value of total trade (import +export) in goods

Intra-ASEAN total (US$ billion) 2004 260.9 2011 598.2 Increasing

Intra-ASEAN share (%) 2004 24.3 2011 25.0 Increasing

Extra-ASEAN total (US$ billion) 2004 428.1 2011 914.8 Increasing

Value of trade in services (US$ billion)

ASEAN total exports 2005 120.7 2011 260.9 Increasing

ASEAN total imports 2005 143.1 2011 269.1 Increasing

Value of inward FDI

Intra-ASEAN total (US$ billion) 2000 0.85 2011 26.27 Increasing

Intra-ASEAN share (%) 2000 3.9 2011 23.0 Increasing

Extra-ASEAN total (US$ billion) 2000 20.96 2011 87.84 Increasing

Population with <PPP$1.25 per day (%)

ASEAN average 2000 32.8 2010 15.3 Decreasing

CLMV-ASEAN6 gap (% points) 2000 15.5 2010 1.4 Converging

Human Development Index

ASEAN average 2005 0.635 2010 0.657 Increasing

ASEAN6-CLMV gap (%) 2005 25.0 2010 22.9 Converging

Rank Country

GDP per capita 2005

constant(USD)

Social Progress Index

Basic human needs

Foundations of wellbeing Opportunity

Nutrition and basic Medical

care

Water and sanitation

45 Malaysia $14,822 70.00 86.27 76.06 47.68 94.78 96.69

56 Philippines $3,801 65.86 66.76 69.17 61.63 83.13 74.14

59 Thailand $8,463 65.14 74.10 71.97 49.34 93.53 81.78

88 Indonesia $4,272 58.98 63.65 69.42 43.86 84.77 52.19

98 Laos $2,522 52.41 59.01 61.58 36.65 68.26 52.20

100 Cambodia $2,150 51.89 47.44 66.89 41.33 76.91 35.58

Rank Country Shelter Personal safety

Access to basic

knowledge

Access to information and communications

Health and wellness

Ecosystem sustainability

Personal rights

45 Malaysia 84.48 69.14 87.25 67.06 80.22 69.71 33.81

56 Philippines 58.94 50.84 88.96 57.88 77.51 52.35 61.55

59 Thailand 76.38 44.70 93.18 54.86 77.98 61.89 49.51

88 Indonesia 64.33 53.31 90.11 51.40 77.99 58.18 49.47

98 Laos 47.40 68.20 69.60 31.87 74.87 69.98 13.95

100 Cambodia 28.96 48.30 70.45 48.17 77.88 71.07 43.53

Rank Country

Personal freedom

and choice

Tolerance and

inclusion

Access to advanced education

45 Malaysia 69.38 37.33 50.19

56 Philippines 73.90 56.43 54.64

59 Thailand 69.71 36.28 41.87

88 Indonesia 63.09 29.56 33.31

98 Laos 60.23 54.28 18.14

100 Cambodia 63.79 40.02 17.99

SATISFACTION WITH PERSONAL DIMENSIONS OF

WELL-BEING

ELEMENTS OF HAPPINESS (% answering “yes” to having the element)

Overall life satisfaction

(0, least satisfied, 10, most satisfied)

Job (% of

employed respondents

who are satisfied)

Personal health (% of all respondents who

are satisfied)

Standard of living (% of all

respondents who are satisfied)

Purposeful life

Treated with respect

Social support network

HDI Rank Total Female

Tot

al

Fem

ale

Tot

al

Fem

ale

Tot

al

Fem

ale

2006-2009

2006-2009

2006-2009 2006-2009

2006-2009 2006-2009

2006-2009

2006-2009

2006-2009

2006-2009

2006-2009

VERY HIGH HUMAN DEVELOPMENT

27. Singapore 6.7 6.7 88 95 79 90 89 81 83 84 83

37. Brunei Darussalam

.. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. ..

HIGH HUMAN DEVELOPMENT

57. Malaysia 6.6 6.6 86 87 68 95 94 88 86 79 79

MEDIUM HUMAN DEVELOPMENT

92. Thailand 6.3 6.3 91 79 63 95 94 75 80 82 87 97. Philippines

5.5 5.5 83 77 68 96 96 94 95 77 76

108. Indonesia 5.7 5.6 63 83 62 95 95 92 94 78 78

113. Viet Nam 5.4 5.4 72 79 59 98 98 92 90 79 77

122. Lao PDR 6.2 6.3 91 89 80 98 98 43 42 81 83 124. Cambodia 4.9 4.9 80 69 51 81 79 87 85 82 79

LOW HUMAN DEVELOPMENT

132. Myanmar .. .. 68 75 59 90 89 53 55 89 86