The State of Southeast Asia survey, now in its 6th year, continues to gauge the views and perceptions of Southeast Asians on geopolitical developments affecting the region, critical international affairs, and how ASEAN Dialogue Partners have engaged with the area over the preceding year. The State of Southeast Asia survey aims to present a snapshot of the prevailing attitudes among those in a position to inform or influence policy on regional issues. The survey is not meant to present a definitive view of issues in the region. This year’s survey was conducted over seven weeks, from 3 January 2024 to 23 February 2024. The survey was offered in six language options – English, Bahasa Indonesia, Burmese, Khmer, Thai, and Vietnamese. A total of 1,994 respondents from ten Southeast Asian countries took part in the survey.
There are six sections in the survey. Section I covers the profile of the respondents by nationality, affiliation, age, and education. Section II explores the regional outlook and provides viewpoints on international affairs in the past year. Section III examines the regional influence and leadership of primary and middle powers. Section IV looks into ASEAN’s options in the changing regional political-security architecture. Section V measures perceptions of trust among Southeast Asians towards five countries – China, the US, Japan, the European Union, and India. Section VI gauges levels of soft power in the region based on travel and work relocation choices. The questions and results have been reorganized for optimal flow and reporting. Figures have been rounded up/down to the nearest decimal point and may not add up to 100.0% exactly.
ISEAS - Yusof Ishak Institute (formerly Institute of Southeast Asian Studies) is an autonomous organization established in 1968. It is a regional center that studies socio-political, security, and economic trends and developments in Southeast Asia and its wider geostrategic and economic environment. The Institute’s research programs are grouped under Regional Economic Studies (RES), Regional Social and Cultural Studies (RSCS), and Regional Strategic and Political Studies (RSPS). The Institute is also home to the ASEAN Studies Centre (ASC), the Temasek History Research Centre (THRC), and the Singapore APEC Study Centre.
The ASEAN Studies Centre (ASC) was established in 2008 to research issues on the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) as an institution and a process. Through research, publications, conferences, media engagement, and outreach activities, ASC seeks to promote a greater understanding of ASEAN and to contribute toward regional cooperation and integration. The Centre conducts studies and provides inputs to stakeholders on issues and matters that call for collective ASEAN actions and responses, especially those pertinent to the ASEAN community-building process. The ASC is the first institutional Recipient of the 2020 ASEAN Prize, a prestigious award to honor the outstanding achievements of individuals or organizations who have made meaningful contributions to ASEAN.