As Asia rapidly urbanizes, providing water and sanitation services has become problematic. Most developing country governments in the region cannot deliver the required services themselves, and the private sector is reluctant to invest due to the risks and low returns, especially for sanitation.

This report reviews economic cooperation and integration in Asia and the Pacific and looks at how technology could boost productivity in aging economies. This publication examines trade and global value chains, cross-border investment, financial integration, the movement of people, and subregional cooperation.

This report reviews economic cooperation and integration in Asia and the Pacific and looks at how technology could boost productivity in aging economies. This publication examines trade and global value chains, cross-border investment, financial integration, the movement of people, and subregional cooperation.

Nepal has 2.7% of the earth’s freshwater, yet the people of Kathmandu, Nepal’s most developed region, struggle with scarce water supply. Rapid urbanization, overpopulation, and overexploitation of groundwater reserves have led to water scarcity in the Kathmandu Valley.

This publication presents the outcomes of initiatives promoting climate-smart agricultural practices and technologies in Bangladesh, Cambodia, and Nepal.

This report analyzes the impacts of agricultural challenges in Asia and the Pacific. It also identifies investments required in different subsectors to achieve food security in the region by 2030. About 518 million people in Asia and the Pacific suffered from hunger in 2017—1 million more than in the previous year.

This paper presents nowcasting of quarterly gross domestic product (GDP) growth in India by developing an econometric framework specific to the country’s economy. “Nowcasting” uses high frequency data to generate estimates of GDP growth.

This publication explores global urban development trends and proposes policy solutions for cities in developing and emerging economies to become centers of green and inclusive growth. Urbanization is creating new opportunities to stimulate innovation, boost economic development, and transform human well-being.

This working paper analyzes the contribution of social protection—especially social assistance—in reducing poverty and inequality and supporting inclusive growth in Asia and the Pacific. The analysis is divided into three main sections.

Developing Asia’s gross domestic product is forecast to slow from 5.9% in 2018 to 5.4% in 2019 and 5.5% in 2020. Inflation across developing Asia is forecast to increase from 2.5% in 2018 to 2.7% this year and in 2020. Growth in developing Asia is moderating but remains robust.