The Afghanistan Development Update, which is published twice a year, provides a comprehensive report of the state of the Afghan economy. It covers recent economic developments and outlines the medium-term outlook for Afghanistan. Afghanistan. Each edition includes a section that provides...

Pakistan's economy continues to grow strongly, emerging as one of the top performers in South Asia. Beneath the surface, however, a number of warning signs are emerging. Revenue growth is slowing, with the fiscal deficit growing for the first time in three years. Exports continue to fall as...

Economic activity in Kenya remained robust in 2016. For the third consecutive year economic activity in Kenya picked-up, reaching an estimated 5-year high of 5.9 percent in 2016, once again placing Kenya among the fastest growing economies in Sub-Saharan Africa. Kenya's growth momentum in 2016...

Malaysia's economic growth expanded strongly in first quarter (1Q) 2017. Gross domestic product (GDP) growth rate for 2017 is expected to accelerate to 4.9 percent, slightly above the government's current projection range of 4.3 to 4.8 percent. The current account surplus has declined (1Q 2017:...

The first part of the Economic Update analyzes recent macroeconomic trends and presents an assessment of the country's short- and medium-term outlook. The Special Focus Section discusses the state of the country's energy sector, including issues surrounding its financial viability and fiscal...

Zimbabwe's economy grew by 0.7 percent in 2016 despite the combined effect of the El Nino drought and domestic financial turmoil. The drought reduced agricultural output and increased food prices towards the end of the year, despite the government's efforts to boost production and stabilize...

The Malawi Economic Monitor (MEM) provides an analysis of economic and structural development issues in Malawi. This edition of the MEM was published in May 2017. It follows on from the four previous editions of the MEM, and is part of an ongoing series, with future editions to follow twice per...

In 2016, Kazakhstan's GDP growth continued to slow and real wages declined further, negatively affecting poverty rates. The authorities reacted by extending additional spending measures and easing monetary conditions. In the medium term, Kazakhstan's economic growth rate is projected to pick up...

The Bangladesh economy is weathering persistent global uncertainties relatively well. Poverty reduction is expected to have continued. Growth remained resilient, aided recently by recovery in exports and private investments. Inflation has decelerated benefitting from soft international commodity...

The Lao economy is estimated to have grown at around 7 percent in 2016, a slight moderation from 7.4 percent in the previous year. Inflation pressures remain low, though prices increased faster in the second half of the year as oil prices recovered. The fiscal deficit widened significantly in...