Femtech Market Map of Southeast Asia 2022
Over 70% growth for the femtech industry in Southeast Asia within just one year. Nothing short of exponential growth for the region. What solutions have emerged? What is driving the growth? What is in store for next year and beyond?
fermata Singapore’s 2022 femtech market map for Southeast Asia dives into these questions to help navigate this rapidly evolving landscape.
We hope to shed light on the reality that there is in fact a demonstrated need for and generation of femtech solutions in Southeast Asia.
The conversation thus far in this region has often revolved around questions of whether there is a market for femtech; a more engaging dialogue is to better understand how these solutions are transpiring in Southeast Asia compared to other regions, and what is needed to support their adoption.
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A quick recap of last year’s findings.
fermata Singapore created the first-ever Southeast Asia Femtech Market Map.
The term “femtech” was coined in 2012 consisting of the words “Female” and “Technology”, and has since grown into a booming industry of technology companies addressing women’s health needs.
Across Southeast Asia, we saw 41 femtech companies out of 1,000+ globally.
Singapore was considered the leading country consisting of 24 femtech companies, followed by Thailand with 6 femtech companies.
Period Health and Sexual Wellness appeared to be the most popular categories - with menopause seeing the least activity however indicated plenty of opportunity in the market with Asia holding one of the fastest ageing population.
In countries such as Cambodia, Laos and Myanmar, we were unable to find femtech companies through our desktop research and network, presumably due to the need to be more focused on general public health issues, period poverty and hygiene safety.
Women’s health issues are identified as one of the biggest cultural and social taboos spread across Southeast Asia.
There is a need for education within women’s health to bust myths and allow the market to have knowledge over their bodies.
The global pandemic helped start the femtech movement in Southeast Asia, for women to want to take more responsibility for their health and for companies to want to find a way to close the gap for them.
Let's turn to 2022.
2022 Southeast Asia Overview
In 2022, there are 71 femtech companies across Southeast Asia.
Singapore continues to be the leading market with 32 companies (↑45%), and Malaysia surpassing to the second lead with 12 companies (↑500%).
Across the region, there seems to be steady growth in the Philippines with 9 companies, Thailand with 6 companies, Indonesia with 5 companies and Vietnam with 4 companies.
There has been no change in Cambodia, Laos and Myanmar as they presumably continue to focus on essential public health initiatives and basic women's needs such as period health education for the younger generation, to encourage them to remain in school.
In Myanmar, following the military coup in 2021, and the rising prices on sanitary pads, local women have been finding it difficult to access period products. While there is some help from volunteers and NGOs who are working to crowdsource period solutions - survival is their utmost priority.
Category Breakdown
Find out more about the report on fermata’s blog here.