Livelihoods in Mainland Southeast Asia: Agriculture Dominates

Most people in mainland Southeast Asia (Myanmar, Thailand, Laos, Cambodia, Vietnam) rely on agriculture—though this is shifting rapidly.

Sector Breakdown (Approximate Workforce Share)

• Agriculture: 40-60% (rice, corn, cassava, rubber, coffee, tea, pepper, fruits)
• Manufacturing: 15-25% (textiles, electronics, automotive—Vietnam/Thailand hubs)
• Services: 20-35% (tourism, retail, finance, transport—growing fastest)
• Fishing/Forestry: 5-10% (Mekong/Tonlé Sap fisheries, timber, NTFPs)

Country Variation

• Vietnam/Thailand: Industrialized; ag <30%; manufacturing/services lead
• Cambodia/Laos/Myanmar: Agrarian majorities (50-70%); garment assembly growing

Key Crops

• Rice: Staple; 2-3 crops/year in deltas (Mekong, Red, Chao Phraya, Irrawaddy)
• Cash Crops: Rubber, palm oil, coffee, pepper, cashew, sugarcane

Transition

Rapid structural transformation: ag share falling 1-2%/year; manufacturing (FDI-driven) and services (tourism, digital) rising. Youth migrate to cities, factories, abroad. Climate change threatens rice deltas.