FinTech penetration in Southeast Asia will double by 2027, research reveals

By Puja Sharma

UnaFinancial’s analysts report that the number of FinTech companies per 1 million people in Southeast Asia may double by 2027, reaching 100. This is supported by the growing super-platform economy, conducive regulatory frameworks and favourable economic conditions.

Analysts of UnaFinancial calculated FinTech penetration per capita in Southeast Asia, using data on the number of active FinTech companies in four main sectors: cryptocurrencies, payments and transfers, digital lending and investments. From 2019 to 2023 the average FinTech penetration increased from 20 to 46 fintechs per 1 million people. The leader was Singapore with 400 FinTechs, followed by Malaysia (22) and Cambodia (9).

Given that the macroeconomic conditions for FinTech development will remain favourable, the number of fintech companies per capita in the region is expected to double again by 2027. The forecast was based on the moving average method and took into account the growth rates of FinTech in Southeast Asia between 2019 and 2023.  Singapore and Malaysia are very likely to continue leading in terms of absolute penetration of fintech per capita in the region with 867 and 60 companies per 1 million people respectively. The third place will be taken by Brunei (21), followed by Vietnam (16) and Cambodia (13).

Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) are integral to the economic development and growth of ASEAN Member States. Allowing for different definitions, there are 70 million MSMEs in ASEAN, accounting for between 97.2% – 99.9% of total establishments in ASEAN Member States. Where data is available, the micro enterprises often constitutes the largest share of enterprises. Regionally, the MSMEs contribute 85% to employment, 44.8% to GDP and 18% to national exports.

These figures indicate that MSMEs play important roles to economic and social development, contributing to value-added activities, innovation and inclusive growth through the creation of job opportunities and their widespread presence in both urban and rural areas. MSMEs are thus the backbone of ASEAN and are fundamental towards achieving long-run and sustainable economic growth and in narrowing the development gap.

The analysts explained: “One of the reasons for FinTech growth in the region is the burgeoning middle class. For example, in Indonesia, it includes 52 million people, while the next 40 million belong to the “aspiring class” where improvements in income and lifestyle are yet to take place. Another reason is the growth of the super-platform economy driving eCommerce, ride-hailing, food delivery and other popular services that employ digital payments and FinTech.

“Finally, regulatory frameworks across SEA are highly accommodative, especially regarding the new digital innovations related to fintech. For example, there is a cross-border QR system to enable mobile payments, as well as streamlining of licenses for payments and money movements within the region. With conducive economic conditions, these factors are likely to fuel the projected growth of FinTech in Southeast Asia in the coming years.”