Economy, Finance and Trade

Armenia's economic freedom ranking has declined to 'moderately free,' marked by persistent corruption and ongoing high tensions with neighboring Azerbaijan. Despite these challenges, economic growth is projected to remain robust in 2023, surpassing…

American Samoa receives considerable aid from the US, but has a stable political landscape. The economic base is very narrow and largely involves fisheries. However, there is significant scope for tourism development. Age-related issues are expected…

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…

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…

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 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…

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.…

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…

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.…

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…

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…

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 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…

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…

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,…

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…

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.…

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…

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…

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…