Standardised coverage and timely analysis helping you to understa...
Standardised coverage and timely analysis helping you to understand the economic drivers, including GDP, external trade, consumption and leading indicators such as business and consumer confidence, underpinning consumer markets.
Following a decade of low borrowing costs, businesses and consumers now face increasing financial pressure due to a surge in interest rates in 2023. High interest rates have far-reaching consequences on economies, businesses and households, impacting…
Corruption and a weak rule of law are hampering strides in economic freedom in Uganda, whilst one party has maintained its grip on governance for decades. However, robust economic performance has been buoyed by strong agricultural output and…
A weak rule of law and endemic corruption hamper economic freedom in Paraguay, although the tax burden remains very low and government finances are sustainable. In the medium term, the economy will outperform the regional average and inflation has…
An authoritarian stance continues to curb civil liberties and public debt is dangerously elevated in Laos. Although falling, inflation remains very high and is negatively impacting the economy and consumption, whilst the low unemployment rate is…
Violence mars Honduran society and economic freedom, although state finances continued to improve. Economic momentum is slowing, as exports and remittances growth slow, but lower inflation will ease the pressure on households. Whilst the population…
Although corruption is being tackled, it remains pervasive in Angola, whilst one party’s grip on power weakens democracy. Economic momentum is slowing, largely owing to elevated inflation, but the foreign investment climate is improving and new trade…
Sri Lanka is grappling with multiple issues including weak economic freedom, corruption, and denial of human rights. Furthermore, an economic crisis led to political instability and trigged hyperinflation, although prices have fallen fast, and output…
Corruption amongst high-ranking state officials has heightened political instability in Portugal, whilst public debt remains elevated. Economic momentum is slowing, but inflation has fallen markedly and technological prowess is supporting foreign…
Corruption undermines economic freedom in Panama and protests have been widespread, although state finances are strengthening. Economic momentum has slowed, but foreign investment is increasing and the Panama Canal continues to play an important role…
Stability and less corruption than peers are cornerstones of Uruguay’s political environment, whilst economic freedom is one of the best regionally. Drought will weigh on short-term economic development, owing to high dependence on agriculture, but…
Tunisia continues to be ‘mostly unfree’ for economic freedom, given the increasing stranglehold of the presidency that is resulting in human rights violations. Although inflation is falling, its elevated level is negatively affecting the economy,…
Frequent government changes have led to political instability in Kuwait and corruption is pervasive, although state finances remain in rude health. A strong economic performance is due to high oil prices, as well as solid domestic demand, but…
Although public debt is contained, Bangladesh has major challenges for economic freedom and corruption remains endemic. The economy has performed strongly, but inflation is rising as a result of political instability and reliance on textiles is…
Although Bahrain’s political system lacks freedoms and corruption remains pervasive, an extremely low tax burden raises economic freedom. Whilst inflation has again entered negative territory and economic development is moderating, the foreign…
Although Austria enjoys solid economic freedom and a strong rule of law, a shift to the far right could create policymaking instability. Whilst unemployment is relatively low and inflation is falling, the economy is set for a marked slowdown in the…
This report examines inflation levels and drivers globally and in key countries in Q4 2023 and 2024. Global inflation is moderating, although divergence remains among the key economies. Higher volatility in the energy markets and disruption of…
Although Jordan’s tax burden is relatively low, limited economic freedom hinders private sector progress and state finances are stressed. Economic recovery is continuing and inflation is very low, but the foreign investment climate faces challenges…
Although economic freedom is limited and endemic corruption persists, international assistance is helping government finances in Kenya. Whilst economic growth is slowing, adversely impacted by high inflation, infrastructure upgrades will be…
As one of the freest countries in the world, Ireland’s private sector enjoys considerable economic freedom, whilst state finances are solid. Robust economic momentum is giving way to a slowdown, as inflationary pressures persist, although exports…
Although state finances are improving and political stability has returned, Greece continues to have an issue with corruption. Economic development is set to slow further, but inflation has also fallen markedly, but high unemployment remains a…