Le Duc - The Effect of Digital Development on Church and Society in Southeast Asia: A Survey

Introduction

Southeast Asia is a region of tremendous diversity in its religious, social, cultural, economic and political makeup. With a total population of over 657 million,1 it is the third most populous geographical region in the world, only behind South and East Asia. Technological development in the region is also as varied as all the other dimensions of Southeast Asian life. Despite the fact that urbanization across the region still falls short of the half-way mark by less than a percentage point, Internet penetration has already reached nearly 60 percent2 with double-digit growth in most segments and most countries of the region.3 With over half of Southeast Asians being monthly active users, the region presents itself as the third-largest market globally, and the Internet economy is expected to reach $200 billion by 2025.