The FINANCIAL — MANILA, PHILIPPINES (10 September 2018) — Asia and the Pacific accounts for a growing share of global gross domestic product (GDP), while the region continues to make progress to reach the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), according to a new report by the Asian Development Bank (ADB).
The report, Key Indicators for Asia and the Pacific 2018, provides the latest available economic, financial, social, and environmental statistics for the 48 regional members of ADB. These statistics reveal a region whose share of global GDP continues to increase, growing from 30.1% in 2000 to 42.6% in 2017 (at 2011 purchasing power parity), and whose labor force is steadily shifting away from agriculture towards employment in industry and services. At the same time, the region’s economies continue to strengthen their participation in trade and global value chains.
A special supplement to this year’s report features new research demonstrating the role of remote sensing in improving the quality, timeliness, and granularity of paddy rice area, yield, and production statistics. The report builds on methodological work undertaken in collaboration with the national statistical offices and agriculture ministries of the Lao People’s Democratic Republic, Thailand, and Viet Nam. The study finds that use of satellite imagery and remote sensing technology, compared to traditional methods, can significantly improve data accuracy. The supplement emphasizes the need to make investments in better data collection and management practices, including through technological innovations.
The contents of this year’s report include:
Status of the SDG indicators in Asia and the Pacific.
Regional trends and tables, including indicators across 8 themes—people; economy and output; money, finance, and prices; globalization; transport and communications; energy and electricity; environment; and government and governance.
Updated tables and data for the Global Value Chain statistics, first introduced in Key Indicators 2015.
Updated individual country tables for 48 regional members of ADB are available online.
Updated statistical database system for the key indicators accessible at this link.
ADB is committed to achieving a prosperous, inclusive, resilient, and sustainable Asia and the Pacific, while sustaining its efforts to eradicate extreme poverty. Established in 1966, it is owned by 67 members—48 from the region. In 2017, ADB operations totaled $32.2 billion, including $11.9 billion in cofinancing.
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