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.
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…
Political opposition and civil liberties are restricted in Saudi Arabia, whilst its economic freedom continues to face challenges. The economy has performed strongly, but is set to slow down and reliance on oil remains high, although inflation is…
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.…
Democracy has seen progress in Colombia, but the rule of law is weakened by organised criminal factions. Although slowing, the economy has outperformed peers, but the country is grappling with high inflation and reliance on oil remains substantial.…
Economic freedom is lacking in Argentina and the political landscape is unstable, whilst corruption continues to infiltrate the highest echelons of power. Hyperinflation is causing economic pain; however, currency weakness could help exporters. A…
Canada’s political stability and solid economic freedom form the foundations for strong private sector development. The economy will slow in the short term, whilst the country remains prone to global commodity price changes and is overly reliant on a…
The global energy crisis has had far-reaching implications for consumers, businesses and entire economies, highlighting the importance of the global energy transition and boosting energy efficiency, while creating opportunities for innovation and…
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…
Despite the business landscape enjoying relative economic freedom, political instability has been a common feature of Slovakia. Although joblessness is relatively low, wages are increasing, also adding to very high inflation, whilst the war in…
Corruption continues to hamper economic freedom and fiscal health could be improved, but Romania has entered a period of political stability. Economic development is set to slow, as high inflation erodes purchasing power and has led to greater…
An unbiased judiciary weakens the rule of law and corruption is more prevalent, but the business environment continues to thrive. Although the economy is expected to slow markedly in the short term owing to high inflation, medium-term prospects are…
Cities are hubs for spending, with 80% of expenditure expected to be generated by urban areas in 2023. Spending growth in 2023 will, however, be sluggish, as cost of living challenges force consumers to be more conservative in their expenditure. Over…
Spain is suffering from a bout of political instability and economic freedom has worsened. Although economic development is slowing down, it continues to attract foreign investors. However, high, albeit falling, inflation has taken its toll on…
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…
Relatively high taxes and a lack of fiscal discipline are negatively affecting economic freedom, whilst France is prone to significant social unrest. Economic momentum is slowing, as higher borrowing costs adversely impact investment and confidence,…
Weak state finances have caused frequent bouts of instability in governance. Additionally, the US’s peacefulness has worsened, but its business landscape remains resilient. Economic growth is slowing in the short term, but robust energy exports have…
New Zealand’s business climate is dynamic and ‘mostly free’ for economic freedom, whilst corruption is not a problem, but political instability is rising owing to the scheduled general election in October 2023. As inflation continues to trouble…
Organised crime continues to negatively impact Mexico, owing to a weak rule of law, which is also beset by pervasive corruption, but government spending is a bright spot in economic freedom. The economy will continue to underperform peers, but…