Asia Pacific

This report assesses the business environment in Azerbaijan, focusing on the regulatory environment, stability of the financial system, FDI intake, labour market flexibility and skillset, trade openness, mobility infrastructure, ICT adoption and…

This report assesses the business environment in Cambodia, focusing on the regulatory environment, stability of the financial system, FDI intake, labour market flexibility and skillset, trade openness, mobility infrastructure, ICT adoption and…

Increased economic uncertainty, digitisation of business activities, the need to improve operational efficiency, and stricter regulations encourage companies to review their supply networks and fortify them against the potential risks in the future.…

Asia Pacific houses the biggest country market for e-commerce (China) and the nation with the second highest e-commerce per capita consumption in value terms (South Korea). As a region, it therefore houses highly developed e-commerce countries, but…

This report assesses the business environment in Turkmenistan, focusing on the regulatory environment, stability of the financial system, FDI intake, labour market flexibility and skillset, trade openness, mobility infrastructure, ICT adoption and…

Detergent tablets within detergents in laundry care – the largest home care category in China – recorded double-digit percentage growth in 2022, which benefited the packaging unit volume sales of its dominant pack type – other rigid containers.…

Flexible plastic is the dominant pack type in India’s home care market. The presence of numerous small players in the marketplace is a significant contributory factor to this trend. As these small players are trying to compete with the larger,…

Surface care remained the biggest home care category in packaging unit volume terms in Hong Kong in 2022. Innovative measures to make cleaning more convenient and sustainable for consumers were being seen within this category. For example, Hong Kong…

Even though the impact of the pandemic was gradually waning in Singapore, many offices chose to continue operating in a hybrid or remote work mode. This therefore saw many consumers continuing to spend more time at home than had been the case prior…

This report assesses the business environment in Kazakhstan, focusing on the regulatory environment, stability of the financial system, FDI intake, labour market flexibility and skillset, trade openness, mobility infrastructure, ICT adoption and…

The global economy is forecast to slow considerably in 2023. This comes as businesses and consumers remain constrained by the adverse combination of persistent inflation and high interest rates. Amidst the sharp slowdown, growth prospects have…

This report provides a global overview of commodity market trends from 2017 through to 2022, including price forecasts up to 2024 for the key commodities in the Agriculture, Energy and Metals sectors. Insights analyse long-term global trends that can…

Due to China’s strict COVID-19 containment measures, business confidence in the country deteriorated over 2022, while China’s ranking in economic freedom dropped significantly. The state interference in the financial sector, widespread corruption and…

Hong Kong continued to rank as the best place to do business globally, thanks to its simple and efficient tax system, support to small and medium-sized enterprises, efficient banking system, investment incentives, well-developed infrastructure, high…

India remains among the lower third countries globally in the Economic Freedom Index, weighed down by poor fiscal health and lack of monetary freedom. In addition, an inefficient judicial system, skills shortages and lagging digitalisation further…

Given Indonesia’s strong economic performance in 2022, business confidence continued to increase, with the country witnessing considerable growth in FDI flows and exports over the year. Indonesia recorded significant improvements in terms of labour…

Malaysia offers a favourable environment for business operations, ranking among the top third in the Economic Freedom ranking. The country’s businesses benefit from robust economic expansion, numerous free trade agreements, strategic location and…

South Korea’s business environment remains attractive to foreign investors, due to its efficient government regulation and world-class infrastructure, as well as its high capacity for innovation and ICT adoption, which continues to improve on the…

Taiwan secured a place among the top 10 countries globally in the 2021 Index of Economic Freedom Ranking, riding on its major strengths of a highly skilled workforce, a robust financial system, sound investment incentives, and a well-established…

This report assesses the business environment in Uzbekistan, focusing on the regulatory environment, stability of the financial system, FDI intake, labour market flexibility and skillset, trade openness, mobility infrastructure, ICT adoption and…

Thailand still holds appeal as a desirable location for less value-added industries, such as agriculture and manufacturing, due to its advantageous labour costs and supportive FDI policies. In addition, Thailand is increasing investments into its…

Pakistan’s business environment is limited by an unstable macroeconomic environment and prevalent corruption. Moreover, a difficult financing landscape and relatively weak labour market, with complex regulations and a significant gender gap, limit…

Myanmar struggles with lack of political and economic stability, weak financial sector and widespread corruption, limiting its business environment. The country also face increasing issues with its vast informal labour market, poor financial system,…

Japan stands among leading economies globally, offering friendly business environment, stable and transparent judicial system, advanced mobility and logistics infrastructure, highly skilled labour and strong innovative capabilities. Financial…

In 2022, the Philippines struggled with monetary freedom and judicial effectiveness, and has seen a decline in its tax burden ranking. However, the country’s flexible business regulations, convenient location and financial sector improvements have…

Singapore continues to lead in terms of economic freedoms globally, offering major opportunities for businesses. Its favourable regulations, investment incentives, high innovation capacity, skilled workforce and high productivity offer a solid base…

In 2022, Vietnam's business environment enjoyed a large working-age population and political stability. Vietnam is emerging as a tech and electronics export hub, with machinery and electronics accounting for a significant portion of its GDP. However,…

In spite of the slight growth spikes seen in home care packaging in 2020 and 2021 as a result of home seclusion and heightened health awareness due to the COVID-19 virus, this industry’s unit volumes continued to grow in 2022. Growth was slightly…

In 2022, plastic pouches used for packaging liquid detergents dominated the market in terms of retail unit volume sales. This was due to their cost-effectiveness compared to traditional rigid packaging like bottles, which helped manufacturers save on…

One of the top brands in surface care – Cif by Unilever – with a value share of around 20% in this category in 2022, has been using innovative packaging and formulations to attract consumers. For example, it launched spray bottles that are refillable…

Global consumers are struggling with the cost of living crisis, as inflation remains high while household income growth lags. Consumers are adopting recessionary habits, such as trading down and being more selective in their spending. Rather than…

The retail packaging unit volumes of floor cleaners recorded positive growth in 2022. This can be attributed not only to the fact that Indonesians are prioritising cleanliness and maintaining a tidy living environment, but also to the increased time…

The continued share gains being made by plastic pouches in home care packaging in Japan can be attributed to this pack type being lightweight and easy to handle, making them a popular choice for home care products such as laundry detergents and…

Prior to the pandemic, volume sales of home care products in Malaysia had been growing due to rapid urbanisation and an increased awareness of the need to maintain a hygienic living environment. The pandemic accelerated growth in the category in 2020…

Flexible plastic continued to account for the vast majority of the packaging unit volumes used in the home care industry in the Philippines in 2022. Flexible plastic also saw strong growth in 2022 as the country experienced a rise in inflation in…

The Asian consumer is changing. Traditional values that served the collective in terms of both society and the family are on the wane, with COVID-19 lockdowns accelerating a new focus on individualism and the self. This report explores how Asian…

Consumer Types can be a powerful tool to help companies better understand and appeal to their target markets. By going beyond typical demographic-based segmentation, such as age or gender, and grouping consumers based on shared traits and…

Ulsan and Cheongju stand out as South Korea's most economically vibrant cities in South Korea. Cheongju is recognised as having the greatest potential for future economic expansion. Nevertheless, these cities will face ongoing challenges. In the…

South Korea is expected to experience a moderate increase in the number of households over 2022-2027, with single-person households continuing to dominate. In 2022, household spending was impacted by a 5.1% inflation rate, leading to higher living…

Sales of consumer electronics were negatively impacted as consumers cut down on discretionary purchases as prices of electronics products escalated despite the economic uncertainties.

The digitalisation and expansion of high-tech industries in South Korea are poised to fuel consumer growth, surpassing the regional average. The rise of a burgeoning middle class and an expanding affluent consumer segment will serve as pillars for…

South Korea has witnessed population decline over the recent years, as number of childless households continue to increase. Generation X, aged 60-75 in 2040, will continue to hold its position as the most influential consumer segment. Older cohorts…

Recent policies are eroding democracy and corruption is rife, although economic freedom has improved in the short term. The economy has proven to be resilient, helped by higher exports, whilst inflation is moderating and the prospects for foreign…

Malaysia’s economic freedom is ‘moderately free’ and the state is addressing corruption. However, the new government has yet to prove its democratic credentials. The economy grew extremely strongly in 2022 and, although output expansion is expected…

Consumer Types can be a powerful tool to help companies better understand and appeal to their target markets. By going beyond typical demographic-based segmentation, such as age or gender, and grouping consumers based on shared traits and…

Consumer Types can be a powerful tool to help companies better understand and appeal to their target markets. By going beyond typical demographic-based segmentation, such as age or gender, and grouping consumers based on shared traits and…

Consumer Types can be a powerful tool to help companies better understand and appeal to their target markets. By going beyond typical demographic-based segmentation, such as age or gender, and grouping consumers based on shared traits and…

India has a relatively stable political environment, but discrimination of minority groups is on the rise and the country has weak state finances. Economic development has outpaced peers and prospects for international trade are positive, although…

China is projected to experience a moderate increase in the number of households between 2022 and 2027, with single-person households becoming the leading type. Household heads are expected primarily to be older males, aged 60+ years, with secondary…

With China’s economy reopening, consumer spending and income growth are expected to accelerate. Over the period to 2027, the lower middle class (socioeconomic group D) is set to experience the fastest expansion, while the lowest income class…