Southeast Asia's Job Prospects Bright in 2025-2026

The International Labour Organization (ILO) projects a bright outlook for employment, including those involved in work, in Southeast Asia throughout 2025-2026.

This is evident in the report *World Employment and Social Outlook: Trends 2025*, newly published in early 2025.

The report estimates the number of jobs in Southeast Asia at 321.7 million with a population ratio of 63.1%.

This figure rose significantly to 334.6 million with a percentage of 64.8% in 2022.

It further increased to 338.7 million with a ratio of 64.8% in 2023. Then, in 2024, it is estimated to have risen to 342.3 million with a ratio of 64.7%.

The ILO projects employment to rise to 345.8 million, although the ratio will slightly decrease to 64.5% in 2025.

In 2026, the figure is projected to increase to 349 million, albeit with a slight decrease in the population ratio to 64.4%.

The ILO projects that the number of workers in Southeast Asia will increase until 2026, reaching 349 million workers. This is the annual trend.

Despite this, the ILO notes that Southeast Asia's prospects are quite encouraging amidst improving global demand. This contrasts with the Pacific Island countries, which continue to experience economic decline due to COVID-19.

"Southeast Asia showed GDP growth of 4.6% in 2024 and is expected to grow at a similar rate in 2025," wrote the ILO in the report cited on Saturday (May 21, 2024).

Part of the positive outlook for this sub-region stems from demand for electronic goods, a major export for economies such as the Philippines, Singapore, Malaysia, and Thailand, although this demand may falter due to the new US administration.

(Also read: ILO Predicts Increase in Unemployment in Southeast Asia in 2026)