Rising energy prices and the living cost squeeze remain the primary worries across Southeast Asia during the ongoing transition to renewable energy and fossil fuel phase-downs. The Southeast Asia Climate Outlook Survey Report 2026, launched by Singapore’s ISEAS-Yusof Ishak Institute, shows that 44.6 percent of regional respondents cite surging energy prices and daily expenses as their most significant concern.
Energy Price Pressures Across ASEAN States
The 2026 survey gathered perspectives from 3,706 respondents across all 11 ASEAN member states, marking the first edition to include participants from Timor-Leste as the bloc’s newest member. Financial anxieties, while still dominant, dropped significantly compared to the 2024 survey, when 52.4 percent of participants identified cost of living and energy prices as their top worry.
Conversely, anxiety regarding potential energy shortages climbed during the same two-year period. Respondents citing energy shortages as their primary concern rose from 20.3 percent in 2024 to 26.1 percent in 2026. The ISEAS-Yusof Ishak Institute report attributes these shifting percentages to supply disruptions stemming from recent energy shocks and broader geopolitical events.
Frequently Asked Questions About the 2026 Climate Survey
Which institution published the Southeast Asia Climate Outlook Survey Report 2026?
Singapore’s ISEAS-Yusof Ishak Institute launched the report, gathering data from 3,706 respondents across the region.
How many countries participated in the 2026 regional survey?
The 2026 edition included respondents from all 11 ASEAN member states alongside Timor-Leste, marking the first time the newest member participated in the study.
What percentage of respondents worried about energy shortages in 2026?
About 26.1 percent of survey participants cited energy shortages as their biggest concern, up from 20.3 percent in the 2024 survey.
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