ASEAN Business Bulletin of August 2025

ASEAN is steadily transforming into a global economic powerhouse. With a combined GDP exceeding USD 3.9 trillion and a population of more than 680 million, the region is not only a key driver of global growth today but is also projected to become the world’s fourth-largest economy by 2030. Its economic influence is already significant, ASEAN now stands as the third-largest trading bloc worldwide, with total trade reaching USD 3.8 trillion in 2024. Intra-ASEAN trade alone accounts for 21.4%, a clear sign of the region’s growing economic integration.

Investment flows tell a similar story. In 2024, ASEAN attracted USD 226 billion in foreign direct investment, with intra-regional investment making up nearly 14% of the total, demonstrating the confidence of both domestic and global investors in ASEAN’s resilience and potential.

Yet this momentum comes at a critical juncture. The global economy is shifting under the weight of rising geopolitical tensions, rapid technological disruptions, climate change, and mounting pressure for more sustainable and inclusive growth.

How ASEAN responds to these challenges will not only shape its own trajectory but also define its role in the global economy for years to come.

For a deeper look at ASEAN’s economic outlook and the strategies driving its transformation, explore the full ASEAN Business Bulletin of August 2025