Environmental, Security, and Economic Factors Determine the Human Development Index in ASEAN

Natalia Sihombing S.Pd Rabu, Agustus 05, 2026
Illustration by AI
FORMOSA NEWS

A comprehensive study conducted by Dwi Mahroji from Universitas Mitra Bangsa and Rita Yuni Mulyanti from Universitas Teknologi Muhammadiyah Jakarta in 2026 examines the integrated determinants of the Human Development Index (HDI) across six ASEAN countries. This study, which explores environmental, security, and economic perspectives, is crucial for formulating inclusive and sustainable development policies in the Southeast Asian region.

Although economic growth in the ASEAN region shows a positive trend, social welfare disparities remain a major challenge. Amid geographical vulnerabilities to natural disasters due to the Pacific Ring of Fire and the threat of terrorism, improvements in people's quality of life cannot be measured solely by Gross Domestic Product (GDP). A multidimensional management framework is required to address ongoing issues of poverty, education, and healthcare that still lag behind in several member states.

This study employs a quantitative approach based on panel data analysis, observing six ASEAN countries (Indonesia, Malaysia, Cambodia, the Philippines, Thailand, and Vietnam) from 2010 to 2024. Reliable secondary data were collected from various international institutions such as the World Bank, IMF, and ASEANstats, and then tested using a selected panel data regression model, namely the Fixed Effect Model.

The analysis results prove that environmental and security factors have a direct impact on HDI achievements in ASEAN, with the following main findings:

  • Natural disasters have a negative and significant effect on HDI because they damage infrastructure and disrupt education and healthcare services.
  • Terrorism is proven to significantly lower HDI by triggering social instability, reducing investor confidence, and hindering social budget allocation.
  • The renewable energy transition provides a significant positive boost to the improvement of quality of life, public health, and environmental sustainability.
  • Effective natural resource management, large domestic market size, infrastructure development, and Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) contribute positively and significantly to boosting HDI achievements.

These findings emphasize that improving HDI in ASEAN requires an integrated policy approach that simultaneously strengthens environmental resilience and security stability alongside sustainable economic development. As emphasized by Dwi Mahroji and Rita Yuni Mulyanti, development strategies can no longer run partially; instead, they must view disaster management, security, and infrastructure as the main pillars of human welfare. Governments in the ASEAN region are encouraged to prioritize investments in disaster-resilient infrastructure, strengthen regional security cooperation, and accelerate the transition to clean energy to achieve inclusive human development.

Author Profile

  • Dwi Mahroji – Lecturer and Researcher at Universitas Mitra Bangsa.
  • Rita Yuni Mulyanti – Lecturer and Researcher at Universitas Teknologi Muhammadiyah Jakarta.

Research Source

Natalia Sihombing S.Pd

Diposting oleh Natalia Sihombing S.Pd

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