Knowledge Source

Insights on Overseas Opportunities for Southeast Asia’s Online Education Market

Antom — Wed, 18 Mar 2026 07:27:07 GMT

Key Insights

Southeast Asia’s K–12 population of around 150 million underpins long-term online education growth

Across Southeast Asia’s ten countries, strong demographic fundamentals continue to support online education. With an average fertility rate of 2.2, the region’s total population reached around 700 million in 2023. School-age children accounted for approximately 26%, or 180 million people, while the K– 12 cohort has remained stable at around 150 million, representing 21% of the population. This large and steady learner base, combined with rising online education penetration and technology-enabled delivery, provides a solid foundation for sustained growth in K–12 online education across the region.
Rising household education spending supports the expansion of online education

Education remains a priority for Southeast Asian households, with spending increasing steadily and reinforcing demand for online learning. In Thailand, back-to-school season spending in 2025 is expected to rise by 3.8% year on year. In Singapore, spending on private tutoring and preschool education reached SGD 1.8 billion in 2023, an increase of more than 63% compared with 2013. This sustained growth in education expenditure translates directly into stable demand for online education and supports further market expansion.
Online language learning reached USD 1.3 billion in 2023, led by Chinese and English demand

Online language learning is one of the fastest-growing segments in Southeast Asia’s education market. In 2023, the market reached $1.3 billion and is projected to grow at a CAGR of 20.1% between 2024 and 2030, driven primarily by Chinese and professional English learning. Chinese has been incorporated into national education systems in seven Southeast Asian countries, accounting for 63.64% of the region, while affordable online courses address the high cost of offline tutoring. Demand for English is fuelled by structural factors such as the Philippines’ large business process outsourcing sector, service industry needs in Thailand and Vietnam, and the wage premium enjoyed by multilingual graduates in Singapore, where starting salaries are around 22% higher.
K–12 tutoring dominates Southeast Asia’s EdTech landscape, accounting for 53% of startups

K–12 academic tutoring remains the core pillar of online education in Southeast Asia, shaped by strong exam-oriented cultures and intense competition for higher education opportunities. Among the world’s 1,000 EdTech startups, nearly 53% of Southeast Asian startups focus on K–12 education, making it the largest segment in the region. Key opportunities lie in improving efficiency through AI-enabled and localised content, as well as in rapid market entry via hybrid models that combine online learning with offline tutoring centres, reinforcing the segment’s central role in the online education ecosystem.

The vibrant online education market in Southeast Asia

As global digitalisation accelerates, online education providers are increasingly turning to emerging markets for growth. Southeast Asia is home to around 700 million people, with more than 60% under the age of 35 and approximately 150 million K–12 students, forming a vast potential learner base. Internet penetration has exceeded 70% across the region, with smartphones firmly established as the primary learning device. The widespread adoption of social media and digital wallets has created a mature ecosystem for mobile-first education products. At the policy level, initiatives such as Indonesia’s Smart Indonesia programme and Vietnam’s National Digital Transformation strategy place digital education at the centre of national development agendas. Supported by favourable demographics, expanding digital infrastructure, and strong policy backing, Southeast Asia has emerged as a priority testing ground for online education companies expanding overseas. What strategic advantages does the region offer? How do market dynamics differ by country? Which segments and learner groups should international players prioritise?

Mexico Retail Market Report: Approximately 50% of the Population Is Unbanked—How Does Physical Retail Dominate 88% of the Market?

Antom — Thu, 12 Mar 2026 09:09:11 GMT

Key Insights

Mexico is Latin America's second-largest economy, deeply integrated into the North American economic sphere through the USMCA agreement. In 2024, exports to the United States accounted for over 80% of Mexico's total exports, making the country one of the biggest beneficiaries of the global nearshoring trend. The Mexican government's "Plan México 2024-2030" sets a long-term goal of becoming the world's 10th largest economy by 2030, with substantial medium- to long-term growth potential.
Approximately 50% of Mexico's adult population is unbanked, making it one of the countries with the highest cash usage rates in the Americas. In 2024, debit card penetration was only 36% and credit card penetration only 11%, significantly lower than in major Latin American economies such as Brazil and Chile. However, fintech is bridging the gap—in 2023, digital payment user penetration exceeded 52%, with new payment methods such as digital wallets and deferred payments rapidly gaining traction.
Mexico boasts a significant demographic advantage, with a median age of just 29.3 years and only 8% of its population over 65. Over 90% of online shoppers are young and middle-aged individuals under 54, representing the core of retail consumption. This youthful population structure is driving sustained growth in the consumer market and providing a user base for digital retail transformation.
In Mexico's retail market, offline retail accounts for 85%–88% of the market share. This percentage is significantly higher than in emerging markets such as China (approximately 53% offline) and Indonesia (approximately 68% offline), indicating that Mexican consumers still rely heavily on physical shopping channels, particularly for basic consumer goods such as food and daily necessities.
Traditional grocery stores (tiendas de abarrotes) account for approximately 42% of the total retail market, with around 1.2 million stores nationwide. Leveraging their proximity, flexible credit mechanisms, and community trust, traditional grocery stores form one of the world's most extensive community retail networks. For small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) seeking to enter the Mexican market, penetrating traditional channels through wholesaler networks is an effective way to reach a broad consumer base.
The nearshoring wave is reshaping the retail landscape in the northern region. The northern industrial corridors of Monterrey, Juárez, and Tijuana have developed emerging middle-income consumer groups driven by manufacturing expansion. Consumers in these regions have higher income levels, prefer modern shopping experiences, and lead the nation in digital payment penetration, making them noteworthy emerging retail hubs alongside Mexico City.
Food retail is the dominant force in offline retail, with offline purchases accounting for 98% of the category. Household food expenditures represent approximately 38% of total spending, significantly higher than in Latin American economies such as Brazil (less than 20%). Sales of traditional handmade staples reached $26.6 billion, primarily transacted through traditional markets.
Health and sustainable consumption are rapidly gaining prominence. In 2023, total retail sales of health and wellness food and beverages reached $33.8 billion and are projected to increase to $39.5 billion by 2028. Sixty percent of consumers actively seek out healthy ingredients, and 63% believe they can influence the environment through their purchasing choices. Generation Z is particularly engaged in sustainable consumption, presenting significant growth potential for this market segment.

Rapidly emerging, digital wallets are expected to become the primary digital payment method by 2027. In 2023, digital payment users reached 67.96 million, representing a penetration rate of 52.84%, and this number is projected to increase to 80.80 million by 2025. Local brand Mercado Pago (preferred by 56% of consumers) and international giant PayPal (preferred by 79% of consumers) together dominate the market, filling the gap left by traditional financial services.
Payment security is a key concern for Mexican consumers. Seventy-four percent of consumers cited payment issues as the main reason for abandoning purchases, and 75% were unwilling to provide banking information online due to security concerns. During the COVID-19 pandemic, e-commerce fraud attacks surged by 220%, making payment security and risk control capabilities a key competitive advantage for companies entering the Mexican market. Antom Shield offers AI-driven intelligent risk control services, utilizing a millisecond-level transaction risk assessment system to help both merchants and consumers mitigate fraud risks.

Why do traditional grocery stores still hold a 42% retail market share in Mexico, where approximately 50% of the population is unbanked? With e-commerce penetration steadily rising, why does offline retail still account for 85%–88% of consumer transactions?

From Start to Finish | The Essential U.S. Tax Compliance Guide for Antom Merchants

Antom — Wed, 11 Mar 2026 08:48:52 GMT

When your independent e-commerce store, AI/SaaS product, game, or short-form content business begins to gain momentum in the U.S. market and orders start pouring in, an unfamiliar challenge often emerges: U.S. tax compliance.

Powering the Next Phase of Airline Global Growth

Antom — Mon, 09 Mar 2026 04:12:05 GMT

How Antom Enables Smarter Payments and Digital Transformation for Airlines

As global travel demand rebounds and international routes expand, airlines are accelerating their digital transformation strategies to support cross-border growth.

Insights on Overseas Opportunities for US SaaS Industry

Antom — Thu, 05 Mar 2026 09:45:04 GMT

Key Insights

Holding 51% of the global market, the US SaaS market leads worldwide with a scale of USD 221.8 billion

Latin America Physical Retail Market Report: Breaking through inflation risks, seizing new opportunities, and exploring the code for growth

Antom — Tue, 03 Mar 2026 09:04:35 GMT

Key Insights

Population size and structure: Latin America (the region of the Americas south of the United States) has a total population of approximately 662 million, of which the four countries of Brazil, Mexico, Argentina and Chile have a population of 408 million, accounting for 61.66% of the total population of Latin America. The working-age population aged 15-64 accounts for 60% to 70%, the urbanization rate is 58%, and the middle class continues to expand. The four countries of Brazil, Mexico, Argentina and Chile constitute the core markets with the highest concentration of population in Latin America.
Largest and wealthiest countries: Brazil is the largest economy in Latin America, with its Gross Domestic Product (GDP) reaching USD 2.17 trillion in 2024. Chile is the wealthiest country in Latin America, with its GDP per capita reaching USD 17,067.8 in 2024.
Macroeconomic divergence: Inflation performance among core Latin American countries varied significantly. Affected by the sharp devaluation of its local currency, Argentina’s inflation rate reached as high as 117.5% in 2024, falling into an “inflation-devaluation” spiral; meanwhile, inflation levels in Brazil, Mexico, and Chile remained relatively moderate, with an average inflation rate of approximately 4.5% in 2024. Exchange rates in Brazil, Mexico, and Chile remained relatively stable, while the exchange rate in Argentina (Argentine Peso against the US Dollar) continued to rise significantly due to economic and political factors.
Retail market overview: Total social retail sales in Latin America reached USD 2.3 trillion in 2025, with an expected CAGR of 8.2% from 2025 to 2031. The total physical retail market amounted to approximately USD 2.17 trillion, accounting for approximately 94% of the total retail sales, and continued to dominate the retail market.
Composition of physical retail: Core formats include large-scale modern retail (such as Carrefour, Cencosud and other large supermarket chains), convenience and traditional retail, and specialty stores; food, daily necessities, beauty products, and household appliances are key categories; major cities such as São Paulo and Mexico City serve as core consumption hubs.
Highly fragmented payment market: digital payment penetration is 45.25%, credit cards account for 30%, Brazil’s Pix instant payment and BNPL (Buy Now, Pay Later) are rising rapidly, the proportion of cash payments in Mexico remains high, and the growth of digital wallets in Argentina is surging. Installment payment has become a “nationwide” consumption habit covering all product categories.
Emerging new consumption trends: the younger demographic is driving the growth in demand for technology, digital, and health-functional products; social e-commerce and conversational commerce (WhatsApp) have become mainstream customer acquisition channels; and the consumption potential of the silver economy is being unleashed.
Coexisting market opportunities and challenges: regional trade integration (MERCOSUR) has lowered cross-border barriers, but significant differences in the laws and tax systems of various countries result in high compliance costs; logistics infrastructure is uneven; currency swap agreements with China may contribute to the development of the Latin American retail market.

Latin America (the region of the Americas south of the United States) possesses a massive population base and unique developmental advantages. Often regarded as the “backyard” of the United States, it has fostered a distinctive political, economic, and cultural atmosphere, forming a market full of opportunities yet fraught with challenges.

U.S. Retail Market Report: Offline Retail Accounts for 84%, Opportunities and Challenges Coexist

Antom — Sat, 28 Feb 2026 09:29:18 GMT

Key Insights

The United States, with only 5% of the global population, generates over 20% of the world’s total income, making it the largest single national economy globally. In 2025, the per capita GDP of the U.S. is projected to reach USD 89,599, ranking eighth globally.
Offline retail in the U.S. currently remains mainstream, accounting for 84% (approximately USD 6.1 trillion) of the overall domestic retail market. The online share is only 16%, approximately USD 1.2 trillion. Large chain retailers (such as Walmart, Target, and Costco) dominate the market, with Walmart’s annual revenue exceeding USD 600 billion in 2024, firmly securing its leading position. Amazon, Apple, and Home Depot follow closely behind.
The top 10% of highest-earning households in the U.S. account for over 50% of retail spending, indicating that middle-to-high-income households are the backbone of the market. Specifically, with respect to direct consumption by the affluent elderly aged 50 and above, 56 cents of every USD 1 spent in the U.S. comes from individuals aged 50 and above. They are the true “big spenders” of the U.S. consumer market.
90% of grocery consumers will choose omnichannel (online + offline) retail. The line between online and offline has long been blurred, and omnichannel operations have evolved from a “plus factor” to a “survival line”.
67% of the U.S. consumers have used BOPIS (Buy Online Pick-up In Store) services, and among them, 75% indicated they would likely continue to choose this shopping method in the future. In addition, 50% of consumers consider the availability of in-store pickup an important factor when choosing an online store.
In the U.S., traditional bank cards still dominate, with credit and debit card payments collectively accounting for approximately 65% of the market share, making them the primary payment method for U.S. consumers, who hold an average of 3.9 credit cards per person. Card-linked wallets (33%) are used significantly more than non-card-linked wallets (8%).
In the U.S. market, which is highly reliant on card payments, merchants face a significantly increased risk of fraud. With the application of AI technology, fraudulent activities will become even more covert and sophisticated.
The door to the offline retail market in the U.S. is wide open, but competition based on cost-effectiveness, social e-commerce, AI applications, payment security, and supply chain restructuring—each link tests merchants’ adaptability. Only through refined operations and a comprehensive layout can one secure a foothold in this vast market with a total population of 340 million.

Foreword

5% of the Population, Yet Generating 20% of Global Income – Decoding the Underlying Logic of the U.S. Consumer Market

At the Apple Store on Fifth Avenue in New York, people are crowded around tables, jostling to see Apple’s latest iPhone 17. As the world’s largest consumer market, the U.S. accounts for only 5% of the global population but generates over 20% of the world’s total income. However, this seemingly prosperous market is undergoing an unseen transformation: tightening immigration policies are slowing labour force growth, the consumption gap between affluent elderly and young low-income families is widening, and the digital wave is reshaping the traditional retail landscape.

Boost Order Conversion by Reducing Avoidable Card Declines

Antom — Tue, 24 Feb 2026 08:13:58 GMT

Antom Card Revenue Booster helps recover lost revenue through card payment optimisation

Not all card declines are real. Many are avoidable, and they cost merchants real revenue. Card payments are one of the most important payment methods in online transaction scenarios but they are also frequently impacted by unnecessary declines.

Europe’s SaaS Landscape: A Mature Market Entering Its Next Growth Phase

Antom — Fri, 30 Jan 2026 06:38:55 GMT

Key Insights

More than 80% of European enterprises do not view GDPR as a negative factor, and the need for compliance is creating opportunities for SaaS providers.
The European SaaS market offers high predictability, driven by the existence of a large number of regulatory frameworks present within Europe, from the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and the Artificial Intelligence Act (AI Act), to the Network and Information Security Directive (NIS2) and the Digital Operational Resilience Act (DORA). The stringent regulatory environment acts both as a barrier to entry and a catalyst for continued demand for compliance-focused SaaS solutions. On the payments side, Antom leverages its regulatory expertise and broad payment coverage to support SaaS platforms with secure, locally compliant payment options.

The European SaaS market is growing steadily, with enterprise SaaS spending per employee more than double the global average.
The European SaaS market grew from USD 35.5 billion in 2020 to $104.2 billion in 2025, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 24%. Enterprise SaaS spending also grew significantly, as per-employee expenditure climbed from $87.7 to $248.8 – an increase of almost 184% and more than twice the global average of $115.7.

European SaaS companies are performing strongly overall, and profitability is steadily improving.
About 44% of SaaS companies achieved profitability in 2023, up from 33% in 2022. Mature companies with lower annual recurring revenue (ARR) growth recorded an even higher profitability ratio of 73%. Gross margins also remain strong: companies with ARR above EUR 50 million have seen margins rise to 80%, while mid-sized companies with ARR between €25 million and €50 million maintained margins at 77%. Furthermore, ARR per employee continues to rise, signalling a notable improvement in operational efficiency as companies scale.

While Europe’s SaaS transaction activity has softened, it is moving towards greater rationality and stability.
The number of disclosed transactions grew from 478 in 2020 to 619 by the third quarter of 2024. Meanwhile, disclosed transaction value reached $18.6 billion in Q1–Q3 2024, up from $16.4 billion in the same period in 2023. The share of large scale transactions has also increased, illustrated by Thoma Bravo’s acquisition of Darktrace for $5.3 billion – a clear signal that capital continues to favour companies with strong profitability and clear business models. At the same time, market expectations for SaaS companies are shifting away from scale expansion towards sustainable operations and stable profitability.

SaaS in Europe: a predictable and mature market

In the global software industry, Europe is often seen as a mature and conservative market – shaped by high saturation, strong regulation and steady growth. This very stability also makes it one of the most predictable regions worldwide. For SaaS companies considering expansion into Europe, this predictability is both a barrier and an opportunity. When regulation becomes a competitive hurdle, compliance needs can open up new business opportunities. Beneath Europe’s strict rules and well-established systems, companies are still actively pursuing new efficiency gains and fresh avenues for growth.

Turkey Retail Market Report: European Market Outpost and Indispensable Eurasian Hub

Admin — Thu, 29 Jan 2026 00:00:00 GMT

Knowledge Source

Insights on Overseas Opportunities for Southeast Asia’s Online Education Market

Key Insights

Southeast Asia’s K–12 population of around 150 million underpins long-term online education growth

Rising household education spending supports the expansion of online education

Online language learning reached USD 1.3 billion in 2023, led by Chinese and English demand

K–12 tutoring dominates Southeast Asia’s EdTech landscape, accounting for 53% of startups

The vibrant online education market in Southeast Asia

Mexico Retail Market Report: Approximately 50% of the Population Is Unbanked—How Does Physical Retail Dominate 88% of the Market?

Key Insights

From Start to Finish | The Essential U.S. Tax Compliance Guide for Antom Merchants

Powering the Next Phase of Airline Global Growth

How Antom Enables Smarter Payments and Digital Transformation for Airlines

Insights on Overseas Opportunities for US SaaS Industry

Key Insights

Latin America Physical Retail Market Report: Breaking through inflation risks, seizing new opportunities, and exploring the code for growth

Key Insights

U.S. Retail Market Report: Offline Retail Accounts for 84%, Opportunities and Challenges Coexist

Key Insights

Foreword

5% of the Population, Yet Generating 20% of Global Income – Decoding the Underlying Logic of the U.S. Consumer Market

Boost Order Conversion by Reducing Avoidable Card Declines

Antom Card Revenue Booster helps recover lost revenue through card payment optimisation

Europe’s SaaS Landscape: A Mature Market Entering Its Next Growth Phase

Key Insights

SaaS in Europe: a predictable and mature market

Turkey Retail Market Report: European Market Outpost and Indispensable Eurasian Hub

Key Insights