This paper introduces a new, publicly available database for tracking merchandise trade in the global value chains for apparel/textile/footwear, motor vehicles and parts, and electronics, developed originally for in-depth analysis at the country level. The data enable tracking of intermediate...

This paper presents estimates of the relationship between the share of income accruing to the middle class and gross domestic product per capita of economies from the Association of Southeast Asian Nations. The increase in gross domestic product per capita that these economies experienced during...

This paper attempts to quantify the impact of economic policy uncertainty on overall trade and trade linked to global value chains. Using new data on policy uncertainty for 18 countries and 24 years, it finds a statistically significant negative impact of policy uncertainty on overall trade...

The many and varied crises in the world economy since 2007 seem to have different origins and iverse manifestations. This paper contends that there is however a structural shift beneath the global economy that is now reaching a critical mass, and that accounts for many of these crises, despite...

The signs of digital technology adoption are evident across Southeast Asia. In big cities, the use of mobile phones for messaging and social media has become ubiquitous. Ride-sharing services and delivery riders using apps to obtain their next booking are changing the face of urban transport and...

As Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) approaches end 2015, this report takes stock of the progress to date and draws out lessons for the next stage of ASEAN's connectivity journey. The realization of an integrated ASEAN community demands connectedness vis improved and expanded...

This report provides a cross-country overview of the policy and regulatory framework for digital financial services (DFS) in Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) countries from a financial inclusion perspective. It was carried out at the request of the ASEAN Working Committee on...

This report is intended to support digital financial services (DFS) policymakers in emerging markets and developing economies (EMDEs) and regulators endeavors, by providing a structured approach for the analysis of DFS and financial inclusion. It provides examples of how countries are...

Board gender diversity has improved across all regions over the last two decades. In the early 2000s, there were only a handful of countries in Western Europe where women held more than ten percent of board seats. Today, many countries exceed the double-digit threshold. There is also increasing...

Malnutrition, which encompasses both undernutrition and overnutrition, presents a significanthuman capital as well as economic development challenge across most ASEAN Member States.A healthy, well-nourished, well-educated and skillful population provides the foundation for aproductive life and...