Despite a challenging economic environment, Southeast Asia’s Internet sectors continue to see substantial growth, hitting the $100 billion mark this year, with the region on track to cross $300 billion by 2025.
This according to Google, Temasek, and Bain & Company in the fifth edition of their Southeast Asian Report, ‘e-Conomy SEA 2020: At full velocity, Resilient and racing ahead, which highlights continued growth in the region which includes Singapore, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Thailand, and Vietnam.
The report additionally said that in 2020, more than one in three digital service consumers started using a new online service due to COVID- 19, and of these, 94% intend to continue using the service beyond the pandemic.
The findings also said that a large number of new digital consumers are from non-metropolitan areas, specifically in Malaysia, Indonesia, and the Philippines.
“Despite significant challenges this year, the long-term outlook for Southeast Asia’s digital economy remains more robust than ever.”
Across all markets, digital engagement increased by an additional hour of personal use per day during lockdowns, said the report with 8 out of 10 saying that technology was helpful in dealing with the pandemic.
The report also noted that “new users are coming online at a blistering pace” with40 million people doing so for the first time this year, which brings the total number of Internet users in the region to 400 million.
“COVID-19 has changed people’s daily lives in fundamental ways. The digital adoption that was projected to happen over several years has accelerated,” said Stephanie Davis, Vice President, Google Southeast Asia. “With its young, diverse and mobile-first population, and a host of innovative start-ups, Southeast Asia will continue to define the future of digital ecosystems.”
Key Highlights
Resilience in times of crisis
The adoption and usage of e-Commerce, Food Delivery, and Online Media have surged. Digital Financial Services are set for a tailwind in the long run as consumers and small and medium-sized enterprises have become more receptive to online transactions.
Online Travel and Transport will take time to recover
There are signs of recovery in domestic tourism, particularly among hotels and holiday rentals within driving distance from major metropolitan areas.
Aside from Vietnam and Thailand, the majority of new consumers are from non-metro areas.
New frontiers in the Internet economy of Southeast Asia
Leading digital health apps were used four times more than before the pandemic while leading education apps were used three times more. This has prompted growing investment in the HealthTech and EdTech sectors.
Investors remain confident and cautiously optimistic
The regional tech investment landscape continues to flourish with an increase of 17% in the number of deals between the first half of 2019 and 2020. The deal value in the FinTech sector surged to $835 million in the first half of 2020, from $475 million in the first half of 2019. Overall, there was a 24% increase in the number of deals during this period.
Pivot towards sustainable profitability
Funding for unicorns in mature sectors such as e-Commerce, Transport & Food, Travel and Media slowed from $5.1 billion in the first half of 2019 to $3 billion in the first half of 2020. Platforms are now refocusing on their core business and established strengths in order to prioritize a path to profitability.
40% cited ‘issues with delivery’ as the top barrier to using e-Commerce.
Ecosystem challenges are being resolved
The average number of cash transactions declined from 48% pre-COVID-19 to 37% post-COVID-19, while the exponential spike in e-Commerce prompted numerous logistical improvements across the region. However, talent constraints remain a pressing concern as companies look for skilled workers who are critical enablers to a fast-growing digital economy.
“Despite significant challenges this year, the long-term outlook for Southeast Asia’s digital economy remains more robust than ever,” said Aadarsh Baijal, Partner and Head of Digital Practice in Southeast Asia, Bain & Company.
“We expect that a number of factors, including dramatic growth of consumer adoption, greater trust in technology, and market forces creating significantly greater online supply, will give a permanent boost to the digital economy.”
Written by Sam Roth
