Southeast Asia digital economy projected to reach $368 billion in 2026

The Southeast Asian digital economy is expected to grow by 17% in 2026, reaching a total digital sales volume of $368 billion, according to the e-Conomy SEA 2026 report by Google, Bain & Company, and Temasek.

Artificial intelligence is identified as a primary driver for this growth, helping businesses improve operational efficiency and customer targeting. While regional AI token consumption currently lags behind the US and Europe, usage is projected to surge significantly by 2030. The report also highlights a rebound in private tech funding, which reached $21 billion in the first half of 2026, supported by large-scale data center investments.

In the e-commerce sector, gross merchandise value (GMV) is projected to hit $226 billion, an 18% year-over-year increase. Digital financial services are also seeing substantial expansion, with a projected gross transaction value of $1.65 trillion.