Standardised coverage and timely analysis of natural resources he...
Standardised coverage and timely analysis of natural resources helping you to understand the opportunities and risks commodities brings business and economies today.
Denmark enjoys considerable economic freedom and is one of the least corrupt countries globally, but the income tax burden is high. The economy is slowing markedly, but inflation has retreated and unemployment is lower than peers. Although there is a…
Although Estonia enjoys substantial economic freedom and tackles corruption effectively, state finances are deteriorating but remain sustainable. The economy is experiencing recession and stagflation, whilst its highly open nature creates risks for…
Although the political scene is facing instability, Sweden will soon join NATO, whilst its state finances remain sustainable. A slowing economy has been hampered by elevated food and energy prices, but inflation is falling and infrastructure upgrades…
Although corruption is being tackled and government finances are strong, Uzbekistan remains an authoritarian state. Thanks to higher remittances, exports and consumption, economic development has been solid, but elevated inflation persists. Reduction…
The global economy is facing weaker growth and increasing fragmentation, as a result of rising geopolitical tensions, especially due to the war in Ukraine and the US-China strategic rivalry. Protectionism, industrial policy and a focus on resilience…
In the upcoming years, consumers and businesses face an array of challenges, with rising income inequality being among the key ones. Nevertheless, addressing the income inequality through catering to the Bottom of the Pyramid and the Middle Class…
Forming a coalition with the far right could create policy disagreements, but Finland continues to have considerable economic freedom and limited corruption. The economy has slowed significantly, owing to a weak external sector resulting from the war…
Although state finances are improving and political stability has returned, Greece continues to have an issue with corruption. Economic development is set to slow further, but inflation has also fallen markedly, but high unemployment remains a…
As one of the freest countries in the world, Ireland’s private sector enjoys considerable economic freedom, whilst state finances are solid. Robust economic momentum is giving way to a slowdown, as inflationary pressures persist, although exports…
Although economic freedom is limited and endemic corruption persists, international assistance is helping government finances in Kenya. Whilst economic growth is slowing, adversely impacted by high inflation, infrastructure upgrades will be…
Although Jordan’s tax burden is relatively low, limited economic freedom hinders private sector progress and state finances are stressed. Economic recovery is continuing and inflation is very low, but the foreign investment climate faces challenges…
The transportation industry is undergoing a paradigm shift away from fossil fuels amid growing global pressures to reduce carbon emissions. The report assesses the market for EV batteries and essential metals such as lithium and cobalt and points out…
This report examines inflation levels and drivers globally and in key countries in Q4 2023 and 2024. Global inflation is moderating, although divergence remains among the key economies. Higher volatility in the energy markets and disruption of…
Although Austria enjoys solid economic freedom and a strong rule of law, a shift to the far right could create policymaking instability. Whilst unemployment is relatively low and inflation is falling, the economy is set for a marked slowdown in the…
Although Bahrain’s political system lacks freedoms and corruption remains pervasive, an extremely low tax burden raises economic freedom. Whilst inflation has again entered negative territory and economic development is moderating, the foreign…
Although public debt is contained, Bangladesh has major challenges for economic freedom and corruption remains endemic. The economy has performed strongly, but inflation is rising as a result of political instability and reliance on textiles is…
Frequent government changes have led to political instability in Kuwait and corruption is pervasive, although state finances remain in rude health. A strong economic performance is due to high oil prices, as well as solid domestic demand, but…
Tunisia continues to be ‘mostly unfree’ for economic freedom, given the increasing stranglehold of the presidency that is resulting in human rights violations. Although inflation is falling, its elevated level is negatively affecting the economy,…
Stability and less corruption than peers are cornerstones of Uruguay’s political environment, whilst economic freedom is one of the best regionally. Drought will weigh on short-term economic development, owing to high dependence on agriculture, but…
The briefing examines how the cotton commodity performs globally and in the largest countries in terms of supply and production. The report also provides data and analysis on cotton price dynamics, as well as trends across key commodity consuming…
The briefing examines how the milk commodity performs globally and in the largest countries in terms of supply and production. The report also provides data and analysis on milk price dynamics, as well as trends across key commodity consuming…
The briefing examines how the coffee commodity is performing globally and in the largest countries in terms of supply and production. The report also provides data and analysis on coffee price dynamics, as well as analysing trends across key…
The briefing examines how the steel commodity is performing globally and in the largest countries in terms of supply and production. The report also provides data and analysis on steel price dynamics, as well as trends across key commodity consuming…
Corruption undermines economic freedom in Panama and protests have been widespread, although state finances are strengthening. Economic momentum has slowed, but foreign investment is increasing and the Panama Canal continues to play an important role…
Corruption amongst high-ranking state officials has heightened political instability in Portugal, whilst public debt remains elevated. Economic momentum is slowing, but inflation has fallen markedly and technological prowess is supporting foreign…
Sri Lanka is grappling with multiple issues including weak economic freedom, corruption, and denial of human rights. Furthermore, an economic crisis led to political instability and trigged hyperinflation, although prices have fallen fast, and output…
The briefing examines how the pulp commodity performs globally and in the largest countries in terms of supply and production. The report also provides data and analysis on pulp price dynamics, as well as trends across key commodity-consuming…
Although corruption is being tackled, it remains pervasive in Angola, whilst one party’s grip on power weakens democracy. Economic momentum is slowing, largely owing to elevated inflation, but the foreign investment climate is improving and new trade…
Violence mars Honduran society and economic freedom, although state finances continued to improve. Economic momentum is slowing, as exports and remittances growth slow, but lower inflation will ease the pressure on households. Whilst the population…
An authoritarian stance continues to curb civil liberties and public debt is dangerously elevated in Laos. Although falling, inflation remains very high and is negatively impacting the economy and consumption, whilst the low unemployment rate is…
A weak rule of law and endemic corruption hamper economic freedom in Paraguay, although the tax burden remains very low and government finances are sustainable. In the medium term, the economy will outperform the regional average and inflation has…
Corruption and a weak rule of law are hampering strides in economic freedom in Uganda, whilst one party has maintained its grip on governance for decades. However, robust economic performance has been buoyed by strong agricultural output and…
American Samoa receives considerable aid from the US, but has a stable political landscape. The economic base is very narrow and largely involves fisheries. However, there is significant scope for tourism development. Age-related issues are expected…
Andorra is a politically stable country, but public finances have been weakened by the costs of fighting the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. The economy swiftly recovered from the pandemic, but the country is considerably exposed, due to…
Antigua and Barbuda has autonomy over its political affairs. However, the country is prone to corruption and suffers from high public debt. The country swiftly recovered from the pandemic-related economic downturn, thanks to rebounding tourism.…
Armenia's economic freedom ranking has declined to 'moderately free,' marked by persistent corruption and ongoing high tensions with neighboring Azerbaijan. Despite these challenges, economic growth is projected to remain robust in 2023, surpassing…
Aruba has a stable political environment with solid governance. However, perceptions of corruption are rising on the island. As one of the most dependent territories on tourism in the world, the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic has ravaged the economy…
Limited taxation enables The Bahamas to enjoy relative economic freedom, but state finances are deteriorating. Significant exposure to tourism and adverse weather could scupper economic development in the short term, whilst unemployment is high. A…
Barbados enjoys political stability and is relatively free of corruption. Its break from the Commonwealth could destabilise this institution in the long term. Economic activity has been severely curtailed by the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, given…
Belize’s future remains uncertain, given claims over its territory, whilst corruption is rife. Substantial exposure to tourism could aid the economic rebound from the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, but foreign investment prospects remain bright.…
In Benin, economic freedom is on the rise alongside advancements in tackling corruption, yet it is constrained by a decline in democratic principles and increasing public debt. While the economic growth is set to outpace regional peers, it is…
Bermuda has a stable political environment. However, state finances are stretched and could be further pressurised by a rapidly-ageing populace. The economy is expected to outperform peers in the short term, supported by solid activity in the…
Corruption and political instability are impeding economic freedom, whilst the public-debt-to-GDP ratio is one of the highest globally. Although the economy is relatively well diversified, uncertainty could hamper its development and hyperinflation…
Albania is advancing with its programme to join the European Union (EU), but the large informal economy and endemic problems still hold it back. Annual real GDP growth is expected to slow down over the near term. Albania offers a large labour force,…
Anguilla enjoys political stability and low corruption levels, with relatively high trust in the government. Its economy was severely impacted by the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, given its substantial exposure to tourism. However, the country…
Although Bhutan has solid rankings for peace and terrorism, a lack of trade freedom is inhibiting economic freedom. Owing to the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic and its effect on tourism, the economy is likely to struggle in the short term, although…
Botswana is among the freest countries in Sub-Saharan Africa, with cultural emphasis on peace and participation. The economy, led by the diamond trade, has rebounded post-pandemic, yet faces challenges in export diversification and a high youth…
Burkina Faso faces challenges amid political instability, violence and weak rule of law. Economic challenges are compounded by external shocks and a dependence on agriculture, yet rising mining exports offer some respite. Country’s young, growing…
Although Côte d’Ivoire is politically stable, corruption is rife and the rule of law is weak, whilst state finances have deteriorated. Economic momentum continues to outperform the regional average and inflation is low, but exposure to agriculture is…
Whilst Ghana enjoys a relatively low tax burden, public debt is rising and the state is increasingly stamping out opposition. Economic momentum is slowing in light of inflationary pressures, but the foreign investment climate looks promising. Whilst…