While little research on the subject is available, open-source research suggests a number of important demographic developments in terrorism across the Southeast Asian region. Understanding these demographics is essential, as they can provide insight into how to combat terrorist efforts in a given geography, from recruitment to operations. In Southeast Asia, women have taken on a greater role and the average age of both male and female jihadis is around 31, with extremes ranging from teenagers to 60+. The Philippines is a central point for jihadism in the region, highlighted by the Islamic States’ call to militants who could not travel to Syria should instead travel to the Philippines. Indonesia and Malaysia accounted for the second greatest number of militants. Additional defining features have been the role of kinship ties, prison radicalization, and education.
Source: The Demographics of Southeast Asian Jihadism – War on the Rocks
