In this report, I will share the two most American-like countries in SE Asia. I will share some data as I go, my conclusion is based more on my gut feeling after spending 47 years growing up in the USA and now 17 years living outside the USA.
There are two countries in SE Asia that I consider most similar to the United States. I will share the second most similar country first.
Question: What is the second most American-like Country in SE Asia?
2nd Most American-like Country in SE Asia is the Philippines
Similarities: between the Philippines and the USA
Sports: Passion
- USA: Basketball, Boxing, Baseball, -American Football,
- Philippines: Basketball, Boxing (PacMan), Baseball
Language: Spoken in the home:
- USA: Population 335m, English (78%), Spanish (14%), 22% Bilingual
- Philippines: Population 115m, English (*55%, more can read), 28% Tagalog, 130+, *dialect hard to understand when you first arrive.
Music: Nightlife, bars,
- USA: Top 40, Rock, Hip Hop, Electronic Dance Music,
- Philippines: Top 40, Rock, Hip Hop, Electronic Dance Music, Karaoke
Religion:
- USA: Christianity 66%, Unaffiliated 27%
- Philippines: Christianity 86%
Grilled Meats:
- USA: 80% of Americans use grills to cook meats or fish
- Philippines: I couldn’t find any published data to support this observation, but I bet 75% of Filipinos eat grilled meat every single day without fail.
Violence: Drugs, Guns, Gangs, Political
- USA: Violence caused deaths 5.9 per 100k population in 2018
- Philippines: Violence caused deaths 6.5 per 100k population in 2018
Differences: between the Philippines and the USA
Infrastructure: Roads, Airports, Sewers, Drainage, etc.
- USA: Not what it was but nicer overall than the Philippines.
- Philippines: BGC, Metro Manila Exception
Social Security: Family v. Government
- USA: The average retiree’s monthly pension is $1,862 USD.
- Philippines: The average retiree monthly pension P5,123 ($87 USD).
- Proof of Life, Family Support, Family Unit
Age-Difference Relationships:
- USA: Wealthy people enter large age-difference relationships.
- Philippines: Age-difference relationships happen in the Philippines because the social security system provides very little security there.
Healthcare:
- USA: The healthcare is decent countrywide but it costs 3 to 5 times as much.
- Philippines: The best healthcare options are centralized in a few larger cities and are overpriced for what you get compared to other countries in SE Asia.
Question: What is the most American-like Country in SE Asia, and why?
The Most American-like Country in SE Asia is Malaysia
Similarities: between Malaysia and the USA
Infrastructure: Roads, Airports, Sewers, Drainage, etc.
- USA: Declining but still better than most developing countries.
- Malaysia: Finest in the world in Kuala Lumpur, and improving in smaller cities.
Language: Spoken in the home:
- USA: Population 335m, English (78%), Spanish (14%), 22% Bilingual
- Malaysia: Population 36m, 70% of Malaysians speak English well.
Food:
- USA: Expensive but high quality and variety including an abundance of international choices.
- Malaysia: Moderate expense but high quality, variety including an abundance of international choices.
Healthcare:
- USA: World-class healthcare if you can afford it but overpriced beyond all reason.
- Malaysia: World-class healthcare but as much as 80% cheaper than USA.
Housing:
- USA: Quality housing can be beautiful but not affordable anymore whether renting or buying.
- Malaysia: Quality housing can be beautiful and is still affordable to rent even in KL but buying prices seem too high given what you can rent for instead.
Differences: between Malaysia and the USA
Sports: Passion
- USA: Basketball, Boxing, Baseball, -American Football,
- Malaysia: Soccer, Badminton,
Music: Nightlife, bars,
- USA: Top 40, Rock, Hip Hop, Electronic Dance Music, Country
- Malaysia: Electronic Dance Music, Malaysian Pop, Korean Pop, Indian Music, Chinese Music
Age-Difference Relationships:
- USA: Age-difference relationships seem related to wealth chasing.
- Malaysia: Age-difference relationships are not as common as other parts of SE Asia.
Religion:
- USA: Christianity 66%, Unaffiliated 27%,
- Malaysia: Islam, Buddhism, Christianity, and Hinduism
Violence:
- USA: Violence caused deaths 5.9 per 100k population
- Malaysia: Violence caused deaths 0.9 per 100k population
Social Security: Family v. Government
- USA: The average retiree’s monthly pension is $1,862 USD.
- Malaysia: The average retiree’s monthly pension is 350 RM (79.81).
- Proof of Life, Family Support, Family Unit
Conclusion
Since strong infrastructure similarities such as roads, housing, highways, airports, and food quality have such a strong and immediate affect on you emotionally when you first arrive in a country, Malaysia feels more American to me.
Music and sports feed our souls but that is not as in your face the first few months so it takes longer to realize those similarities.
That is why Malaysia feels the most American to me even though both are amazing countries.