Commodities

While the global luxury goods market contracted notably, Asia showed signs of recovery as early as Q2 2020, minimising the impact of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. This report analyses the background to the quick recovery of personal luxury…

Social and environmental concerns have grown due to COVID-19 and unstable sociopolitical repercussions in the region. Both lifestyles and purchase decisions have aligned towards taking action to preserve the environment. With consumers and…

Increasingly popular in Western Europe, among Millennials and Gen Z who are most influenced by climate impact, refillable and reusable solutions continue to expand across the beauty, home care, food and drinks industries. The recurrent themes of…

Zimbabwe faces significant challenges, marked by political repression and decreasing democratic freedoms. The economy, while showing solid growth in 2023, is expected to decelerate in 2024 due to slower global mineral demand and agricultural…

Zambia faces significant challenges, including widespread corruption and low degree of economic freedom. Country’s economy, heavily reliant on copper exports, is vulnerable to global market fluctuations. Despite projected economic growth, the nation…

Yemen’s political landscape has been devasted by civil war, also distressing state finances. Hopes are present for an economic recovery in the long term, if the war ends. Nevertheless, the country will continue to suffer from high unemployment and…

Although economic freedom is improving, the rule of law in Vietnam remains weak. Strong economic recovery has outpaced regional peers and inflation is not a major issue, but the external sector is susceptible to supply and demand shocks. Higher…

Although Venezuela is repressed for economic freedom and suffers from endemic corruption, possibilities of restructuring its significant debt pile have emerged. The economy remains massively reliant on oil and is slowing, whilst hyperinflation…

Limited taxation adds to Vanuatu’s economic freedom. However, competing factions destabilise the political landscape. Exposure to tourism will lead to output underperformance versus peers in the short term, whilst large agricultural activities also…

Although corruption is being tackled and government finances are strong, Uzbekistan remains an authoritarian state. Thanks to higher remittances, exports and consumption, economic development has been solid, but elevated inflation persists. Reduction…

The US Virgin Islands has a good regulatory environment, which fosters business development. However, a lack of representation in the US is creating frustration amongst islanders. The economy is heavily dependent on tourism and post-pandemic recovery…

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…

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…

Tuvalu has favourable political freedom, but a high dependency ratio and poor regulatory environment. Economy slowly recovered from COVID-19 pandemic and related slowdown, bolstered by the seafaring sector. Nevertheless, further growth will remain…

Turkmenistan’s authoritarian tendencies have repressed economic freedom, although state finances remain solid. Economic growth has slowed and is highly dependent on hydrocarbons, but infrastructure investment should be supportive in the short run.…

Turkey is facing rising authoritarianism, along with the undermining of its secular society and democracy. Earthquakes in early 2023 are to negatively affect economic development considerably and increase state spending, whilst they have also clouded…

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,…

Trinidad and Tobago is wealthy and stable; however, it is held back by a weak judiciary and high levels of corruption. Real GDP growth slowly recovered to pre pandemic pace, but oil and gas reserves will soon expire, hampering future growth. The…

Although Tonga is ‘moderately free’ for Economic Freedom, it is relatively stable politically and had solid state finances. The economy is overly reliant on remittances and tourism, which could lead it to underperform compared to its peers, whilst it…

Togo continues to grapple with inadequate enforcement of property rights and insufficient legal frameworks for land access, with the political system showing limited democratic elements. Strong economic growth is expected, surpassing regional…