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Story perspectives

Southeast Asia’s Weak Education, R&D Keeps Countries Middle-Income

9/8/2026

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Summary

Story summary

Weak education and R&D ecosystems keep Indonesia and other Southeast Asian nations in middle-income status.
Only Singapore and Brunei are classified as high-income by the World Bank in the region.
Indonesia spent 3.6 % of GDP on education in 2015.
The Philippines spent 2.6 % of GDP on education in 2012.
Southeast Asian nations rank near the bottom on PISA, PIRLS and TIMSS international student assessments.

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Story summary

Weak education and R&D ecosystems keep Indonesia and other Southeast Asian nations in middle-income status.
Only Singapore and Brunei are classified as high-income by the World Bank in the region.
Indonesia spent 3.6 % of GDP on education in 2015.
The Philippines spent 2.6 % of GDP on education in 2012.
Southeast Asian nations rank near the bottom on PISA, PIRLS and TIMSS international student assessments.