Special Reports

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has reported a steady increase in household debt over the past three years, which reached 42.9% of GDP at current market prices as of June 2024. While this level remains relatively low compared to other emerging market economies (EMEs), the RBI has characterized the...

Kenya’s business-as-usual (BAU) scenario, which projects 143 megatons of carbon dioxide equivalent (MtCO2-eq), outlines the country’s potential future greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions if no significant policy interventions or investments in renewable energy are made. This scenario assumes that current energy demand patterns will continue unchanged. Under its commitment to the...

A comprehensive survey examining 143 low-, middle-, and high-income countries has unveiled varying levels of preparedness for the world’s rapidly aging population. The study assessed nations on their ability to support older adults in areas such as well-being, equity, and security, highlighting stark disparities in readiness. The aging population reflects...

South Korea's acting president, Choi Sang-mok, has called for an emergency safety assessment of the nation’s airline operations. Additionally, authorities are examining the feasibility of conducting a detailed inspection of all Boeing 737-800 aircraft in the country after the catastrophic crash on Sunday, which stands as the worst domestic aviation...

Japan has announced plans to increase imports of used electronic devices from countries within the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) to promote urban mining, a method for extracting rare metals from electronic waste. The initiative aims to enhance trade between ASEAN nations and Japanese companies while fostering sustainable resource...

Renewable energy accounted for 24.5% of the European Union’s energy consumption in 2023, marking a new record. Despite this progress, the figure remains significantly below the EU's ambitious target of 42.5% by 2030. Among the bloc’s four largest economies, only Spain exceeded the EU average in renewable energy usage. Sweden...

The European Union (EU) and Mercosur, comprising Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay, and Uruguay, have reached an agreement in principle to establish a bilateral trade deal. This pact, which has been in negotiation for 25 years, aims to create a free-trade zone encompassing over 700 million people across two continents. However, political...

The global surge in ultra-wealthy individuals since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic has not made it easier to join the ranks of the top 1% of earners in the United States. According to Knight Frank's 2024 Wealth Report, the wealthiest 1% of Americans are worth at least $5.8 million....

Over the next 15 years, Britain is expected to outshine its European neighbors economically, securing its place among the world’s largest economies, according to projections by the Centre for Economics and Business Research (CEBR). The report predicts Britain will maintain its sixth-place position globally by 2039, with France trailing in...

In a historic expansion, BRICS continues to assert its global economic influence by adding nine new partner countries in January 2025, following the admission of four new members in 2024. With this latest inclusion, the bloc now represents nearly half of the world’s population and accounts for over 41% of...