Southeast Asia

Featured Insights

The image is an aerial view of the Bangkok skyline, likely near the Sathorn district, featuring several modern skyscrapers at sunset or sunrise. The sun is low on the horizon, casting a warm orange glow and dramatic light rays through the clouds.
Article
Southeast Asia quarterly economic review: Markets reshape
-
The short-term spark from the second quarter of 2025 was short-lived—the third quarter delivered mixed yet softer outcomes...
Jakarta, capital city of Indonesia during blue hour with iconic buildings
Podcast
Propelling Indonesia’s productivity: Reaching high income by 2045
-
Indonesia has set an ambition to become a high-income economy by 2045. Is this possible? Two McKinsey experts discuss how it...
Solar panels in tropical garden
Article
Climate Transition Impact Framework: Indonesia case study
-
The Climate Transition Impact Framework is an approach for socioeconomic analysis of climate plans, piloted in Indonesia to help...

Our new regional blog

Southeast Asia Perspectives

Southeast Asia Perspectives

Topics at the forefront of business from one of the world’s most vibrant regions.

Trade and network flows

Aerial scene of a rural market in Vi Thanh city
Article
Pixels of Progress: A granular look at Vietnam’s development journey
-
Looking beneath national averages to uncover a pixelated view of Vietnam over the past two decades could bring clarity to business...
Logistics and transportation of Container Cargo ship and Cargo plane with working crane bridge in shipyard at sunrise
Article
Diversifying global supply chains: Opportunities in Southeast Asia
-
Southeast Asia is emerging as a global manufacturing hub, presenting opportunities for logistics companies. Here’s a look...
Blue geometric lines representing technological speed.
Article
Boosting Vietnam’s manufacturing sector: From low cost to high productivity
-
Manufacturing has been the nucleus of Vietnam’s exceptional growth. However, faced with complex economic, geopolitical,...

Technology and digital

Aerial view of Singapore Skyline with network connections.
Article
A wake-up call to tap into digital wealth
Businessman with briefcase and cape walking into digital gen ai future.
Podcast
Generative AI and the future of work: A Singapore perspective
Sumba Solar Panel. - stock video
Article
How to power Indonesia’s solar PV growth opportunities
Close-up of woman's hand typing on a smartphone in the city in front of cars at beautiful sunset
Article
On the verge of a digital banking revolution in the Philippines
Five areas of growth for digital marketing in ASEAN
Article
Five areas of growth for digital marketing in ASEAN
A conversation on artificial intelligence and gender bias
Podcast
A conversation on artificial intelligence and gender bias
Six golden rules for ecosystem players to win in Vietnam
Article
Six golden rules for ecosystem players to win in Vietnam
Defending Southeast Asian consumer-company value in a digital age
Article
Defending Southeast Asian consumer-company value in a digital age
Digital banking in Indonesia: Building loyalty and generating growth
Article
Digital banking in Indonesia: Building loyalty and generating growth
Moving past the ‘pilot trap’ to unleash Industry 4.0 in Indonesia
Article
Moving past the ‘pilot trap’ to unleash Industry 4.0 in Indonesia
The digital archipelago: How online commerce is driving Indonesia’s economic development
Report
The digital archipelago: How online commerce is driving Indonesia’s economic development
What Southeast Asia needs to become a major player in artificial intelligence
Report - MGI Research
What Southeast Asia needs to become a major player in artificial intelligence

The Asian Century

Manila, Philippines Makati timelapse aerial shot of Intersection in central city area with traffic. - stock video
Article
The Philippines economy in 2024: Stronger for longer?
Aerial view of solar panels, photovoltaic arrays generating sustainable electricity.
Article
Putting renewable energy within reach: Vietnam’s high-stakes pivot
Reimagining tourism: How Vietnam can accelerate travel recovery
Article
Reimagining tourism: How Vietnam can accelerate travel recovery
Can ASEAN maintain its growth trajectory in a post-COVID-19 world?
Podcast
Can ASEAN maintain its growth trajectory in a post-COVID-19 world?
Emerging stronger, fitter, faster: The rise of the Asian corporation
Article - McKinsey Quarterly
Emerging stronger, fitter, faster: The rise of the Asian corporation
Ten ways to boost Indonesia’s energy sector in a postpandemic world
Report
Ten ways to boost Indonesia’s energy sector in a postpandemic world
Emerging from the pandemic, Vietnam must position itself for recovery
Article
Emerging from the pandemic, Vietnam must position itself for recovery
Generational change for Southeast Asian companies
Video
Generational change for Southeast Asian companies
ASEAN's transformation to a global player
Video
ASEAN’s transformation to a global player
Smart cities in Southeast Asia
Discussion Paper - MGI Research
Smart cities in Southeast Asia

From the top: Leadership in Southeast Asia today

Philippines Growth Dialogues
Collection
The Philippines Growth Dialogues
Giving and reaping rewards: A conversation with ShopBack's Joel Leong
Podcast
Giving and reaping rewards: A conversation with ShopBack’s Joel Leong
Indonesia’s Traveloka finds strength in local markets amid the pandemic
Interview
Indonesia’s Traveloka finds strength in local markets amid the pandemic
Reimagining leadership in Asia's next normal
Video
Reimagining leadership in Asia’s next normal
Addressing society’s pain points: An interview with the CEO of Ayala Corporation
Interview - McKinsey Quarterly
Addressing society’s pain points: An interview with the CEO of Ayala Corporation
How to plan a successful leadership succession at a start-up
Interview
How to plan a successful leadership succession at a start-up
Growing an incumbent by building a new business: A conversation with True Digital’s Bernd Vindevogel
Podcast
Growing an incumbent by building a new business: A conversation with True Digital’s Bernd Vindevogel
Clone or create A conversation with Aaron Tan, CEO of Carro
Podcast
Clone or create: A conversation with Aaron Tan, CEO of Carro

The power of Southeast Asian consumers

How consumer-goods companies can win in Southeast Asia
Article

How consumer-goods companies can win in Southeast Asia

-
Disciplined spending, stronger partnerships with retailers and distributors, and cross-functional collaboration set winners apart. But all companies in the region need to step up their game in digitization and analytics.

The rise of Southeast Asian corporations

Illustration of separate building blocks with multiple Indonesian power sources.
Report - MGI Research
The enterprising archipelago: Propelling Indonesia’s productivity
The fusion of cubes and moss can be interpreted as the integration of technology with nature. This concept could explore the ways in which digital and technological advancements can work hand-in-hand with natural ecosystems for the future of sustainability.
Article
CCS in Southeast Asia: An opportunity or distant reality?
Man holding bonsai tree sapling
Article
Asia–Pacific’s family office boom: Opportunity knocks
Scenic aerial view sunrise scene of Tumpak Sewu waterfall with Semeru Volcano Background with the jungles on Java Island, Indonesia.
Article
Indonesia’s green powerhouse promise: Ten bold moves
Cropped hand holding Vietnam banknotes on white background. - stock photo
Article
Wealth management in Vietnam: A $600-billion wealth market by 2027
‘Superstars’: The dynamics of firms, sectors, and cities leading the global economy
Discussion Paper - MGI Research
‘Superstars’: The dynamics of firms, sectors, and cities leading the global economy
Outperformers: High-growth emerging economies and the companies that propel them
Report - MGI Research
Outperformers: High-growth emerging economies and the companies that propel them
Transforming a bank by becoming digital to the core
Interview
Transforming a bank by becoming digital to the core