Economic And Social Survey Of Asia And The Pacific 2006

This edition of the yearly survey examines regional economic and social developments in the Asia and the Pacific region during 2005. The growth rate slowed moderately in 2005 mainly as a result of high oil prices and softening of growth in global trade. For 2006 it is expected that growth maintains its current momentum providing that oil prices do not increase significantly and global external imbalances do not unwind suddenly. Propects for the region would also be affected if avian influenza develops into a human pandemic. Efforts are needed to ensure all benefits of high growth are passed on to the poor via good employment opportunities for all.

The Asia-Pacific region has been leading the global economic growth over the past few decades. However, rapid economic growth without sufficient inclusiveness is now constraining the region's future economic and broader development prospects. The COVID-19 pandemic has further revealed the vulnerability of the region due to lack of inclusiveness. The Survey 2021 estimated that 89 million people could have been pushed back into extreme poverty in the region due to COVID-19, contributing to an already increasing trend in income inequality in Asia and the Pacific. Going forward, concerns over a “K-shaped” economic recovery, both within and across countries, and the desire to ensure that the post-pandemic recovery is consistent with long-term inclusive development are broadly shared among policy makers and experts, as revealed during policy dialogues organized to disseminate the messages of Survey 2021. Additionally, international commitment to inclusive development, as manifested in the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, is pushing distributional issues to the forefront of global policy agenda. With a focus on the role of economic policies in promoting inclusive development, the Economic and Social Survey of Asia and the Pacific 2022 will analyze the importance of effective government actions and the role of fiscal, monetary/financial and structural policies in enhancing inclusiveness, keeping in view the considerable impacts of COVID-19 on inclusiveness and inequality.

The Survey 2016 assesses the region’s outlook as it navigates through global uncertainties, providing policy options and strategies to support countries in striving towards achieving the Sustainable Development Goals. The report analyses a wide range of areas including economic growth, inflation, trade and investment, financial markets, inequality, employment, and environmental concerns. The special theme of Survey 2016 highlights how both economic growth and productivity growth have declined in the aftermath of the 2008 economic and financial crisis in the Asia-Pacific region. In doing so, the report examines underlying trends of productivity growth and argues that the 2030 Agenda for sustainable development provides an entry point to strengthen productivity as investing in the SDGs can foster productivity growth, thereby creating a virtuous cycle between sustainable development, productivity and development.

The Survey 2016 assesses the region’s outlook as it navigates through global uncertainties, providing policy options and strategies to support countries in striving towards achieving the Sustainable Development Goals. The report analyses a wide range of areas including economic growth, inflation, trade and investment, financial markets, inequality, employment, and environmental concerns. The special theme of Survey 2016 highlights how both economic growth and productivity growth have declined in the aftermath of the 2008 economic and financial crisis in the Asia-Pacific region. In doing so, the report examines underlying trends of productivity growth and argues that the 2030 Agenda for sustainable development provides an entry point to strengthen productivity as investing in the SDGs can foster productivity growth, thereby creating a virtuous cycle between sustainable development, productivity and development.