Pre-COVID-19, economic policies under "Abenomics" helped ease financial conditions, exit deflation, and raise labor market participation, but fell short on the deep reforms needed to raise productivity and achieve inclusive and sustainable growth. The Japanese economy is now recovering from the...

KEY ISSUES Context. Raising growth and ensuring long-term fiscal sustainability remain the two critical issues of the FSM. The reform agenda, in particular, the tax reform package and growth-enhancing reforms, hinges on achieving a national consensus in a loosely federated nation. Outlook. The...

This 2015 Article IV Consultation highlights that after a sharp contraction in the first quarter of 2014, Thailand’s economy experienced a modest recovery in subsequent quarters, to expand by 0.7 percent in the year as a whole. Inflation decelerated toward the end of 2014 and became negative...

This 2015 Article IV Consultation highlights that Mongolia’s medium- to long-term prospects are promising given its large natural resources. In the near term, however, the country continues to face balance-of-payments (BOP) pressures on account of low foreign direct investment and weak...

This paper discusses Sri Lanka's Sixth Review Under the Extended Arrangement Under the Extended Fund Facility and Request for Waiver of Nonobservance and Modification of Performance Criterion. The Sri Lankan economy is gradually recovering from the impact of the Easter Sunday terrorist attacks....

The New Zealand economy slowed considerably in 2023, following a period of strong growth, and some previous significant imbalances are finally correcting. Tight monetary policy has put inflation on a meaningful downward path but remains high. Some of the overvaluation in housing prices has also...

The Japanese economy continues to grow after the pandemic, with broad-based price increases following three decades of low inflation. The "new form of capitalism" agenda and children-related policies are key priorities for the Kishida administration, but the fiscal burden has increased

Despite headwinds from the war in Ukraine, the Maldives' economic recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic has shown resilience. The cyclical rebound and still favorable economic outlook provide an opportunity for the Maldives to address its large fiscal and external vulnerabilities. This calls for...

Kiribati's economy recovered strongly from the pandemic on the back of supportive fiscal measures including subsidies, grants, and (most recently) an increase in civil service wages. Inflation, which has decelerated from its recent peak, is projected to pick up again mainly due to increased...

Malaysia's growth momentum has slowed but remains resilient to external headwinds. While monetary policy has paused its tightening cycle, fiscal policy is consolidating, and the ringgit had been under pressure through most of 2023. The government's commitment to the reform priorities outlined in...