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.
Political instability is frequent and Kyrgyzstan fell into ‘mostly unfree’ for economic freedom ranking. Economic growth is forecast to be slower than peers and below the pre-pandemic levels. Population growth will add to consumer market appeal and a…
Lesotho is undergoing intensive reforms to strengthen institutions and enhance public service transparency, yet it faces challenges like persistent corruption and a rising budget deficit. Economic growth lags behind regional peers, with a reliance on…
Liberia has managed its government finances effectively. Peacefulness in the country is also increasing, following turbulence caused by the 2017 elections, but corruption persists. The economy is set to outperform the regional average, whilst foreign…
Years of conflict have led to political instability in Libya. Rule of law is ineffective and corruption remains a major problem. Heavy reliance on hydrocarbons makes the economy extremely vulnerable to oil price shocks, whilst the precarious security…
Liechtenstein showcases governmental stability, minimal corruption, and high economic freedom. Its robust financial sector and swift adaptation to remote work fuel its economy, potentially outpacing peers. However, an aging population may strain…
A lack of corruption, government stability, and high levels of economic freedom characterise Luxembourg. Strength in financial services and adaption to remote working has served the economy well, which could outperform peers going forward.…
Macau, China benefits from political stability, but its ageing population could make increasing demands on government finances in the future. As the world’s largest gambling hub, Macau’s economy is heavily dependent on revenues from casinos, making…
Madagascar faces political instability and limited economic freedom, hindering structural reforms. While the primary sector underpins the economy, high inflation and elevated poverty rates challenge growth. Despite a young, expanding population and…
Malawi has relatively stable governments, yet deteriorating global peace and terrorism rankings suggests concerns over increasing violence. Economic forecasts are optimistic, with growth expected to exceed that of regional peers over the long term,…
Mali's political scene is marked by instability, significant military influence, and widespread corruption, with large areas beyond government control. Mali’s undiversified economy is reliant on international aid and its agriculture sector. The…
Malta is mostly free, helping businesses to flourish, but corruption is relatively widespread compared to regional peers. Foreign investors flock to the island, eager to participate in the financial services sector, but dependence on tourism and…
Although Martinique does not suffer from undue corruption, its political environment has been prone to secessionist tendencies. Given that the economy is highly dependent on tourism, its recovery from the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic remains slow.…
Mauritania suffers from political instability, whilst ethnic tensions are also a destabilising factor. However, government finances are relatively robust with fiscal room to manoeuvre. Recent hydrocarbon finds and rising commodity prices are expected…
Mauritius boasts a stable democracy and mature institutions, contributing to high economic freedom. Already highly diversified, the economy is set to grow in sectors like agro-processing and medical tourism. Country’s diverse population and low…
Although Moldova is ‘moderately free’ for economic freedom, Russia’s influence operations may spur instability. Economic growth to rebound over the near term, outperforming regional average. The population is shrinking and ageing rapidly, which…
Although Monaco enjoys political stability, questions remain over transparency in financial services. Given that tourism is a significant revenue earner, Monaco’s economy experienced a severe recession stemming from the Coronavirus (COVID-19)…
Mongolia is a peaceful country, but with high levels of corruption and fragile governance. The economic growth should accelerate in 2023, supported by the vast mining sector, but the country’s dependence on this sector leaves it vulnerable.…
In Mozambique, ongoing conflict and corruption exacerbate economic challenges. The economy is hindered by high unemployment and reliance on agriculture. The young and growing population remains impoverished, facing healthcare and educational hurdles,…
In Mozambique, ongoing conflict and corruption exacerbate economic challenges. The economy is hindered by high unemployment and reliance on agriculture. The young and growing population remains impoverished, facing healthcare and educational hurdles,…
Namibia has a relatively stable political environment, reflecting positive economic prospects. Investment in telecommunications is set to boost revenue growth in the coming years. Rapid population and consumption growth indicate a demographic…
An authoritarian regime using violence has reduced peace in Nicaragua and caused political instability. Consequently, the economy has suffered a prolonged recession, which has been exacerbated by the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. A major trade…
The political climate in Niger is marked by corruption and external influences, including the presence of terrorist groups and foreign military aid. Economically, the country is poised for above-average growth, heavily reliant on agriculture and…
North Korea’s autocratic regime is the most repressed globally for economic freedom, which propagates corruption, but sanctions could bring the country to the negotiating table. The command economy has been crippled by these sanctions, and remains…
Papua New Guinea faces considerable hurdles, marked by pervasive corruption and limited economic freedom. Country’s economy, heavily reliant on the uncertain global commodity market, is further strained by low productivity due to extensive…
Puerto Rico, a US territory, grapples with economic challenges such as high unemployment and debt amid debates about its political status. Culturally diverse, the island faces social issues like poverty and emigration. Yet, initiatives in technology,…
Réunion, governed as a French overseas department is politically stable and has solid regulatory environment. Réunion’s economy is marked by high unemployment and dependency on imports, with France being a major economic support. The island has a…
Rwanda's political landscape is marked by a strong ruling party and improving global peace rankings, though challenges in fiscal health persist. Economic growth is set to surpass regional average, fuelled by consumption and services sector, despite…
Tuvalu has favourable political freedom, but a high dependency ratio and poor regulatory environment. Economy slowly recovered from COVID-19 pandemic and related slowdown, bolstered by the seafaring sector. Nevertheless, further growth will remain…
The US Virgin Islands has a good regulatory environment, which fosters business development. However, a lack of representation in the US is creating frustration amongst islanders. The economy is heavily dependent on tourism and post-pandemic recovery…
Yemen’s political landscape has been devasted by civil war, also distressing state finances. Hopes are present for an economic recovery in the long term, if the war ends. Nevertheless, the country will continue to suffer from high unemployment and…
Zambia faces significant challenges, including widespread corruption and low degree of economic freedom. Country’s economy, heavily reliant on copper exports, is vulnerable to global market fluctuations. Despite projected economic growth, the nation…
Zimbabwe faces significant challenges, marked by political repression and decreasing democratic freedoms. The economy, while showing solid growth in 2023, is expected to decelerate in 2024 due to slower global mineral demand and agricultural…
Support from France is crucial to the development of French Guiana, but while the relationship is generally cooperative, instances where tensions arise happen. The country has a strong space industry. Population growth will be strong, but it is…
Samoa is a politically stable country with a budget surplus. However, the large influence of the state and significant exposure to tourism could weigh on economic performance in the medium term. Although the country is young and growing, its…
High public debt and an inefficient judiciary characterise Sao Tomé e Príncipe (STP). Although the economy was negatively impacted by the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, adversely affecting tourism and commodity exports, recovery is nearing its…
Senegal's political landscape is marked by free elections and strong secularism, yet faces challenges with worsening peace and corruption perceptions. The economic growth is set to accelerate in 2024, bolstered by hydrocarbon production. The young…
Seychelles stands out in Africa with its stable political landscape and low corruption, but grapples with fiscal challenges. The economy is poised for recovery, driven by a resurgent tourism sector, though its heavy reliance on this industry presents…
In Sierra Leone, governance is being influenced by informal networks and traditional authorities. Global terrorism ranking is improving, but state finances are deteriorating. The country faces challenges from inflation and low economic…
Although government finances are solid and monetary freedom rank high, the Solomon Islands suffers from pervasive corruption and low investment freedom. Economic performance is expected to be below peers over the near term. The population is young…
Conflict has shattered peace and caused significant political instability in South Sudan, where corruption is rife. Although the economy is expected to recover in the short term, its trajectory will be modest, whilst large dependence on oil continues…
St. Kitts and Nevis, a dual-island nation in the Caribbean, showcases political stability within a parliamentary democracy. Its economy hinges on tourism, agriculture, and a citizenship-by-investment program driving foreign investment. The country…
St Lucia’s stable and democratic island is challenged by endemic corruption and worsening labour freedoms. Economic growth recovered to pre-pandemic pace, but attempts at diversification need ramping up. Consumer expenditure is rising, but poverty…
St Vincent and the Grenadines enjoy political stability and low levels of corruption, but crime is rising. A small population that is hardly growing diminishes the appeal of the consumer market, whilst the populace is also ageing. Internet use is…
Trinidad and Tobago is wealthy and stable; however, it is held back by a weak judiciary and high levels of corruption. Real GDP growth slowly recovered to pre pandemic pace, but oil and gas reserves will soon expire, hampering future growth. The…
In 2023, a war erupted in Sudan, exerting a severe impact on the nation's social and economic advancements. The economy is expected to undergo a substantial contraction, alongside the rise of a significant humanitarian crisis marked by casualties,…
Improving state finances and effective control of corruption are adding to Latvia’s economic freedom, but relations with neighbours continue to be tense. Economic momentum is moderating, owing to high inflation that is hitting consumption, but the…
Amid advancing civil rights and fiscal improvements, political and economic landscapes in the nation evolve. Agriculture and tourism are set to boost economic growth, yet the country grapples with inflation and import reliance. Socially, robust…
Although political instability and corruption continue to be themes in Peru, economic freedom is the third best in South America. Inflation is falling, but the economy is slowing and copper exports could be hindered further, whilst uncertainty in the…
Increasing authoritarianism and corruption are resulting in mass protests, although fiscal discipline is leading to better state finances. Economic momentum is slowing, owing to high inflation and reduced external demand, but foreign investment…
Although Slovenia has been beset by political instability and corruption remains an issue, its economic freedom is one of the best in Eastern Europe. However, the economy is slowing, as inflation is elevated, whilst its highly open nature exposes its…