ASEAN poverty rate drops from 13.3% to 10.8%, putting region on course for 2030 target despite rural and digital challenges.
MELAKA: The proportion of ASEAN’s population living below the national poverty line declined from 13.3% in 2016 to 10.8% in 2023.
Deputy Minister of Economy Datuk Hanifah Hajar Taib confirmed this downward trend places the region firmly on track to achieve its poverty reduction target by 2030.
She acknowledged that development gaps persist both across and within ASEAN member states despite the positive statistics.
“Rural poverty, limited access to quality education and digital exclusion continue to test our shared commitment to leaving no one behind,” she said in her keynote address at the 15th Session of the ASEAN Community Statistical System Committee.
Hanifah Hajar called for targeted policies guided by robust data and inclusive engagement to address these disparities.
She emphasised the need for stronger statistical literacy and public trust during the five-day programme themed ‘Advancing ASEAN Through Inclusive Data and Innovation’.
“When citizens understand and believe in the data, they become active participants in shaping the policies that affect their lives,” she added.
The deputy minister highlighted ASEAN’s remarkable resilience and dynamism in the global economy.
Total trade in goods reached approximately 3.56 trillion US dollars in 2023, accounting for eight percent of global trade.
This underscores ASEAN’s growing role as a hub for production networks, investment and supply chain integration.
Approximately 78% of ASEAN’s trade occurs with partners outside the region, reflecting deep global connectivity.
Intra-ASEAN trade accounts for 22% of total trade and continues to grow as a promising sign of deepening regional integration.
Hanifah Hajar noted the challenge ahead is ensuring trade dynamism translates into inclusive and sustainable growth.
“This requires data-informed strategies that promote equitable access to markets and strengthen SME participation,” she said.
She also applauded the initiative to establish a one-stop reference centre for ASEAN-level data.
This unified portal will consolidate harmonised indicators, metadata, dashboards and open datasets across member states.
“This is more than a technical milestone; it is a bold step toward transparency, accessibility and regional solidarity,” she added.
The event was attended by Chief Statistician Datuk Dr Mohd Uzir Mahidin and Director of the ASEAN Integration Monitoring Directorate Dr Ahmad Zafarullah Abdul Jalil. – Bernama
