#InquirerSeven Fast facts about the 10 Asean member states
(Editor’s note: The first published infographic incorrectly showed Brunei having a population of 42.3 million. The infographic has been revised to correctly show the correct population of Brunei which is 423,188.)
As leaders and delegates from the 10 member states of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) meet in Manila, it is important to know the facts and figures about the 50-year-old organization.
This year’s summit, which will be held at the Philippine International Convention Center (PICC) from April 26 to 29, 2017, will be the 30th time Asean leaders meet.
READ: Asean officials meet to discuss communication support, integration
President Rodrigo Duterte is expected to meet with the leaders of neighboring countries and discuss regional issues such as those involving the South China Sea and the July 2016 decision on the West Philippine Sea by the UN Arbitral Court.
READ: Integration, security concerns top Asean agenda
Here are #InquirerSeven fast facts about the 10 Asean member states:
1. Indonesia is the biggest economy in Asean
The Philippines, whose gross domestic product (GDP) numbers $292 billion, is tied with Singapore at fourth place when it comes to size of economy.
Among Asean member states, Indonesia has the biggest economy with $819 billion, followed by Thailand with $395 billion and Malaysia with $296 billion.
2. Laos has the fastest economic growth
With a growth rate of 7.4 percent in 2015, Laos grew the fastest in terms of economy among Asean member states.
The Philippines economy, in contrast, grew 5.9 percent, which puts it behind Myanmar, Cambodia and Vietnam.
3. Indonesia has the highest population
Indonesia is the most populous country in Asean with over 257 million people, followed by Philippines with 100 million people.
Vietnam places third, with a population of 91 million. At last place is Brunei with the smallest population numbering only 423,188.
4. Vietnam has the fastest growing population
Vietnam may soon overtake the Philippines in terms of population, as it has the highest population growth rate among Asean member states with 2.1 percent.
And while Brunei may have the smallest population, it has the third fastest population growth rate at 1.6 percent just behind Singapore with 1.8 percent.
5. Philippines has the highest unemployment rate
The unemployment rate in the Philippines is the highest among Asean countries at 6.3 percent. Indonesia is a close second with 6.2 percent.
Thailand and Cambodia have the lowest unemployment rates among member states with just 0.2 percent each.
6. Singapore has the highest percentage of internet users
More than 82 percent (around 4.4 million) of the entire population of Singapore are internet users, the highest in the Asean region.
In the Philippines, 40.7 percent of the population (around 40 million) are internet users, putting the country in fifth place in terms of percentage of internet users.
7. Thailand had the most number of tourist arrivals
Nearly 30 million tourists visited Thailand in 2015, making it the most popular among Asean countries.
Malaysia places second with more than 25 million tourist arrivals. The Philippines is in sixth place with 5.3 million tourists that same year, just ahead of Cambodia with 5 million tourist arrivals.
Bonus: Ranking of the population of ASEAN Member States
Additional research and infographics by: Patricia Abigail Lupangco/Adamson University
