A regional survey finds cost pressures and weak policy confidence persist into 2026, while Southeast Asians increasingly turn to mental wellbeing as a practical coping strategy amid prolonged economic uncertainty.
Southeast Asia enters 2026 under sustained pressure as cost-of-living stress, job insecurity, and health concerns continue to shape public sentiment across the region.
A Milieu Insight survey spanning six countries shows affordability remained the dominant issue in 2025, affecting household decisions on food, housing, healthcare, and education. Despite multiple policy interventions, confidence in government support stayed weak, highlighting a gap between official measures and everyday realities.
Employment uncertainty cut across both advanced and emerging economies, driven by stagnant wages, automation fears, and changing work models. At the same time, rising healthcare costs added another layer of anxiety, particularly in urbanised markets. Yet the study also points to a notable shift in behaviour.
Rather than waiting for institutional solutions, many Southeast Asians are actively investing in mental wellbeing as a form of self-reliance. Mental health awareness and self-education surged across the region, signalling a cultural shift toward resilience.
How institutions respond may shape trust well beyond 2026.
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