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.
The US’s large military presence on Guam makes the territory a target for attacks by nations looking to lower US power in Asia Pacific. Guam is highly reliant on US federal funding, exposing the territory to changes in US military spending. Tourism…
Nauru’s political landscape is stable, but is sometimes autocratic in nature. The country’s biggest challenge is to diversify the economy away from phosphate production. Nevertheless, planned infrastructure projects could enhance Nauru’s appeal. Its…
Political upheaval has been caused by transitioning to a new constitution, whilst economic freedom is suppressed, given ineffective observance of the rule of law. The economy could outperform peers, owing to strength in agriculture and greater…
Significant divisions exist between New Caledonia’s indigenous population and its European counterparts, creating political instability. Substantial reliance on nickel is a risk for the economy, which was in recession in 2020. The prospect of…
Authoritarian rule has created political stability in Tajikistan, but economic freedom has suffered as a result. The economy is expected to outperform peers in the short term, but a narrow export base creates risks for the external sector. Tajikistan…
Recent policies are eroding democracy and corruption is rife, although economic freedom has improved in the short term. The economy has proven to be resilient, helped by higher exports, whilst inflation is moderating and the prospects for foreign…
Malaysia’s economic freedom is ‘moderately free’ and the state is addressing corruption. However, the new government has yet to prove its democratic credentials. The economy grew extremely strongly in 2022 and, although output expansion is expected…
India has a relatively stable political environment, but discrimination of minority groups is on the rise and the country has weak state finances. Economic development has outpaced peers and prospects for international trade are positive, although…
Although the tax burden is reducing, the Philippines remains ‘mostly unfree’ for economic freedom and geopolitical tensions are growing. Solid remittances helped the economy to outperform peers and infrastructure upgrades could support output…
China’s increasing influence on Hong Kong’s political scene continues to undermine democracy. The economy is expected to recover well and inflation is under control, but the currency’s peg to the US dollar is leading to higher borrowing costs.…
Weakness in the rule of law negatively impacts economic freedom in Kazakhstan and the state’s authoritarian tendencies remain, but government finances are solid. Although the economy is set to perform relatively well, the export base is undiversified…
Pakistan’s ‘repressed’ status for economic freedom is largely due to political instability and the undue influence of the military. The economy performed better than peers, but suffers from high inflation and interest rates that suppress growth,…
Thailand is prone to bouts of political instability, which has adversely affected economic freedom. Moreover, the military’s stranglehold and the influence of the monarch over politics have weakened the rule of law. Returning tourism has helped to…
Economic freedom is negatively impacted by authoritarianism in China, with the state becoming increasingly repressive. The zero-COVID-19 policy has adversely affected the economy, but removal of restrictions could result in strong short-term…
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…
Economic freedom in Japan continues to benefit the private sector, as does limited corruption, but fiscal health remains weak. Unemployment is low, but the economy faces external forces that are weakening its performance. Ageing and depopulation…
Singapore’s economic freedom is the best in the world, although civil liberties are restricted and corruption is on the rise. Economic momentum is slowing and the external sector is susceptible to global cyclical changes, but inflation is well…
Azerbaijan’s authoritarian tendencies undermine democracy, whilst tensions with neighbours are increasing. Maintenance in the oil sector adversely affected the economy and the sector’s dominance continues to result in limited export diversification.…
Although South Korea enjoys significant economic freedom, corruption amongst high-ranking officials is a blot on its political scene. Inflation is low and a trade deal could help exports, but the economy is slowing and foreign investment could be…
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.…