Sustainable development in ASEAN: long-run evidence on agriculture, industry, employment, economic growth and external integration

This study provides long-run evidence on how sectoral structure, economic growth and external integration are associated with sustainable development in ASEAN economies. The research highlights the positive long-run roles of agricultural and industrial shares and economic growth in supporting sustainable development, while showing a crowding-out pattern between these sectors. The findings are significant because they suggest that sustainable development in ASEAN cannot rely solely on growth or openness, but requires balanced policy frameworks that support both agricultural activities and industrialisation during ASEAN’s structural transformation. The study offers useful implications for policymakers seeking to manage structural transformation while maintaining sustainability objectives in developing regional economies.