Google, Temasek, and Bain project 17% year-on-year growth as generative AI spreads to 243 million users across the region.
Southeast Asia’s digital economy will reach $368 billion in gross merchandise value in 2026, a 17% increase from the prior year, according to the 11th edition of the e-Conomy SEA report from Google, Temasek, and Bain & Company. The report projects the region will pass $1 trillion by 2035.
Generative AI now reaches 243 million people in the region, or 58% of the working population, and it scales four times faster than mobile internet did. Google managing director Nitin Gajria describes AI as an essential part of daily life for shopping, travel, and money management.
Agentic commerce is the near-term signal, with consumers reporting growing comfort at letting AI agents compare prices, plan trips, and complete purchases. Builders that expose clean product data and reliable checkout APIs will capture that traffic before rivals do.
Sustaining the growth depends on data center capacity, energy efficiency, and unified digital trade policies across borders. New regional trade agreements and infrastructure buildouts will determine whether the $1 trillion forecast for 2035 holds.
What matters
- The 11th e-Conomy SEA report puts regional GMV at $368 billion for 2026, up 17% year on year.
- Builders should plan for agentic commerce, where AI agents compare prices and buy on behalf of consumers.
- Watch data center capacity, energy efficiency, and unified digital trade rules across the region.
Why it matters
Watch data center capacity, energy efficiency, and unified digital trade rules across the region.
This GenAI News article was prepared in original wording using reporting and materials published by Google AI Blog. Source reference: https://blog.google/company-news/inside-google/around-the-globe/google-asia/e-conomy-sea-report-2026/.
Drafted by the GenAI News review pipeline.