SEA · Country summary
Southeast Asia (regional)
Last updated: 28 Sep 2026
ADB expects Southeast Asia to grow 4.7% in 2026 and 4.9% in 2027, with developing Asia's inflation at 4.2% in 2026.
Key indicators and definitions
| Indicator | Value | Definition and scope | Basis date | Source | Definition and source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ADB Southeast Asia GDP growth forecast, 2026 | 4.7%raised from 4.6% in the July outlook | ADB Asian Development Outlook forecast of real GDP growthDeveloping Southeast Asia (ADB grouping) | 23 Sep 2026 | ADB: Growth in Developing Asia and Pacific to Slow But Remain Resilient (2026-09-23) | Definition and sourceADB Asian Development Outlook forecast of real GDP growth Scope: Developing Southeast Asia (ADB grouping) Source: ADB: Growth in Developing Asia and Pacific to Slow But Remain Resilient (2026-09-23) |
| ADB Southeast Asia GDP growth forecast, 2027 | 4.9%raised from 4.8% in the July outlook | ADB Asian Development Outlook forecast of real GDP growthDeveloping Southeast Asia (ADB grouping) | 23 Sep 2026 | ADB: Growth in Developing Asia and Pacific to Slow But Remain Resilient (2026-09-23) | Definition and sourceADB Asian Development Outlook forecast of real GDP growth Scope: Developing Southeast Asia (ADB grouping) Source: ADB: Growth in Developing Asia and Pacific to Slow But Remain Resilient (2026-09-23) |
| ADB Developing Asia inflation forecast, 2026 | 4.2%revised from 4.3% | ADB forecast of average CPI inflationDeveloping Asia and the Pacific (ADB grouping) | 23 Sep 2026 | ADB: Growth in Developing Asia and Pacific to Slow But Remain Resilient (2026-09-23) | Definition and sourceADB forecast of average CPI inflation Scope: Developing Asia and the Pacific (ADB grouping) Source: ADB: Growth in Developing Asia and Pacific to Slow But Remain Resilient (2026-09-23) |
Latest T&S View
2026-09-28
T&S View: In BNPL consolidation, managing cancellations and early arrears may beat scale
- With Grab's acquisition of Atome, regional BNPL is entering a phase of absorption into large platforms.
- In the same week Singapore enforced a cooling-off period for moneylender loans, showing regulation extending into the post-contract stage.
- We think the gap between lenders will be driven by precision in managing cancellations and early arrears rather than loan volume; integration results are not yet visible.
Articles
- Data as of 2026-09-23Macro & households
ADB nudges Southeast Asia's 2026 growth forecast up to 4.7%
On 23 September ADB raised Southeast Asia's growth forecast to 4.7% for 2026 and 4.9% for 2027.
- Data as of 2026-09-18T&S View
T&S View: In BNPL consolidation, managing cancellations and early arrears may beat scale
With Grab's acquisition of Atome, regional BNPL is entering a phase of absorption into large platforms.
- Data as of 2026-09-15Competition & capital
Grab to buy 60% of Atome for USD 1.49 bn, remainder to follow in a second stage
On 15 September Grab agreed to acquire 60% of BNPL and consumer lender Atome Financial for USD 1.49 bn.
- Data as of 2026-09-03Macro & households
AMRO: regional public finances resilient as energy support and welfare lift outlays
AMRO's September quarterly fiscal bulletin: revenue rose year on year in most ASEAN+3 economies, led by income and consumption taxes.