ASEAN regional perception poll on creative economy
As reported by the ASEAN Secretariat, the first-ever Regional Perception Poll on the ASEAN Creative Economy was officially launched under the ASEAN–UK Advancing Creative Economy programme, revealing both strong public optimism alongside pressing challenges faced by creative professionals across Southeast Asia.
Commissioned by the UK Mission to ASEAN, the British Council and the ASEAN Secretariat with support of the Senior Officials Responsible for Culture and Arts (SOMCA), the poll provides the region’s first comprehensive snapshots of perceptions of the creative economy, from public attitudes to industry realities. It captured sentiments across the ASEAN Member States (AMS), evaluating the understanding of changes in the cultural and creative sector, and examining the region’s creative economy ecosystem.
Key findings from the poll include:
- Strong growth optimism: 60% of respondents believe the creative economy is experiencing significant growth, and 43% believe that creative economy development is positively affecting economic growth in ASEAN, benefiting communities at the regional level.
- Macrosystem – support the environment: 54% agree that local wisdom and culture significantly affect the development of creative and cultural products and services.
- Coordination and cost challenges: 50% of creative professionals identify a lack of regional coordination as a major challenge, while 53% of the public cite high costs as the main barrier to accessing creative products and services.
- Knowledge gap: Only 47% of the public are ‘somewhat familiar’ with the term creative economy.