East Asia and Pacific Chief Economist Office Reports

Jobs and Technology

East Asia and the Pacific, seen in the context of the world economy, stands out as a paragon of development. The region continues to grow relatively fast, and the benefits are widely shared. But the region also faces challenges. How are global tensions shaping trade and investment? How will increasing global uncertainty impact countries in the region? How are new technologies like robots, AI and digital platforms affecting jobs and wages? What can be done to ameliorate disruptions for workers?

Firm Foundations of Growth

The East Asia and Pacific (EAP) region is growing faster than the rest of the world, but slower than before the pandemic. While recovering global trade and easing financial conditions will support regional economies, increased protectionism and policy uncertainty will dampen growth. Amid macroeconomic turbulence, strong microeconomic foundations are critical for longer-term growth. Firms play a pivotal role in driving productivity, but leading firms in the region are not fully leveraging new technologies. How can these firms catch up with global leaders? What can be done to spur productivity growth?

Services for Development

Most economies in developing East Asia and Pacific, other than several Pacific Island Countries, have recovered from the succession of shocks since 2020 and are continuing to grow, albeit at a slower pace. High indebtedness, a slowdown in China economy, and trade and industrial policy in other countries will hurt the region. Looking forward, diffusion of digital technologies and policy reforms in the services sector is posed to create opportunities and play an increasing role in the economic development of the region.

Fixing the Foundation: Teachers and Basic Education in East Asia and Pacific

This report examines key factors affecting student learning in the region, with emphasis on the central role of teachers and teaching quality. It also analyzes the role education technologies, which came into widespread use during the pandemic, and examines the political economy of education reform.

Enterprising Women

This report explores gender differences in entrepreneurship for micro, small, and medium enterprises in Southeast Asia. It analyzes household and firm-level data from five Southeast Asian countries: Cambodia, Indonesia, Lao People’s Democratic Republic, Timor-Leste, and Vietnam, and reviews existing evidence from across the region.

The Innovation Imperative for Developing East Asia

This report seeks to deepen policy makers’ understanding of the critical role for innovation in the future growth and development of developing East Asia. To achieve this, the report examines the region’s key innovation challenges, assesses its state of innovation, and analyzes the main constraints firms face in effectively pursuing innovation.