Proportion of the “working poor” to total population falling throughout developing Asia

Across developing Asia in 2018, the proportion of the employed population living in extreme poverty (i.e., the “working poor”) was less than 5% in 15 of the 27 economies with available data for this indicator. The share of the working poor as a percentage of the total population exceeded 20% in 6 economies (see figure on the right). The smallest proportions of the employed population living in extreme poverty in 2018 were found in Azerbaijan (0.02%), Mongolia (0.12%), and Sri Lanka (0.15%). The largest shares were observed in Afghanistan (37.6%), Uzbekistan (27.1%), and Papua New Guinea (PNG) (26.3%).

From 2000 to 2018, the share of the working poor as a percentage of the total population fell in all of the 27 reporting economies. The largest declines occurred in Cambodia (49.3 percentage points), Tajikistan (42.4 percentage points), and Nepal (40.3 percentage points).

In spite of reductions in undernourishment in more than four-fifths of economies in Asia and the Pacific since 2000, hunger persists in the region

According to the UN, the rates of reducing undernourishment in Asia and the Pacific have slowed significantly in recent years, risking progress toward the SDG target to eradicate hunger by 2030.¹ Investments in agriculture are needed to increase productivity and sustainability in food production systems.

Of the 37 regional economies with available data, 31 experienced a decline in the prevalence of undernourishment in the total population from 2000 to 2017 (see figure on the right). The largest reductions during the review period occurred in Myanmar (37.7 percentage points), Mongolia (21.7 percentage points), and the Lao People’s Democratic Republic (21.2 percentage points).

In 2017, the prevalence of undernourishment in the total population was below 10.0% in 26 of the 37 reporting economies, compared with only 14 of 37 in 2000. The prevalence of undernourishment was lowest—at a rate of 2.5% or below—in Australia; Azerbaijan; Hong Kong, China; Japan; Kazakhstan; Malaysia; New Zealand; and the Republic of Korea. The highest rates of undernourishment in 2017 were observed in Afghanistan (29.8%), Timor-Leste (24.9%), and Pakistan (20.3%).

¹Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO). 2018. The State of Food Security. Rome.

The prevalence of stunting has fallen since 2000 in more than 85% of developing member economies for which data are available

Poor food security and severe malnutrition have led to millions of Asian and Pacific islander children being stunted (i.e., too short for their age). The prevalence of stunting in children below the age of 5 years exceeded 25% in 15 of the 30 developing member economies with available data (see figure on the right). The highest rates of stunting were found in Timor-Leste (50.9%), PNG (49.5%), and the Lao PDR (44.2%).

The prevalence of stunting in children below the age of 5 years fell in 26 of the 30 reporting economies that had two data points available for comparison (ranging from 2000 to 2008 and 2009 to 2016). The 3 economies in which the prevalence of stunting increased over the review period were PNG (5.6 percentage points), Malaysia (3.5 percentage points), and Vanuatu (2.8 percentage points), while there was no change to this indicator in the Republic of Korea.

The under-5 mortality rate fell in 46 out of 47 economies between 2000 and 2017

The under-5 mortality rate in Asia and the Pacific fell from 69 deaths per 1,000 live births in 2000 to 31 deaths per 1,000 live births in 2017. This compares with world averages of 77 and 39 in 2000 and 2017, respectively.

By subregion, South Asia experienced the largest decline in under-5 mortality (52 fewer deaths per 1,000 live births), followed by Central and West Asia (42), East Asia (27), the Pacific (24), and Southeast Asia (22) (see figure on the right). For the 3 developed economies in Asia and the Pacific, the average decline during the review period was 2 fewer deaths per 1,000 live births.

The under-5 mortality rate fell during the review period in 46 out of the 47 regional economies with available data. The largest reductions occurred in Cambodia (78 fewer deaths per 1,000 live births), Afghanistan (61), Timor-Leste (60), and Bangladesh (55) as can be observed in Table 1.3.1. Fiji was the only economy in which the under-5 mortality rate increased, from 23 deaths per 1,000 live births in 2000 to 25 in 2017.

Participation rates in pre-primary education for both boys and girls exceed 90% in two-fifths of developing member economies

Early childhood education is critical to laying a strong foundation for future development and lifelong learning. Among the developing economies of Asia and the Pacific, 13 of the 32 economies with available data for 2017 (or another recent year) had at least 90% of both boys and girls participating in organized learning 1 year before the official entrance age to primary school (see figure on the right). For boys in developing economies, 100% participation rates in preprimary education were observed in Hong Kong, China; Palau; and Viet Nam. For girls, 100% preprimary participation rates were observed in the Cook Islands, Indonesia, Niue, and Tuvalu.

Participation rates below 50% for both boys and girls were found in 6 of the 32 economies reporting for 2017 (or the most recent year for which data are available). These economies, and their respective preprimary participation rates for each sex, were Bangladesh (35.3% for boys and 35.4% for girls), Cambodia (42.5% and 43.6%), Samoa (34.9% and 39.1%), Tajikistan (13.4% and 11.6%), Timor-Leste (32.8% and 33.5%), and Uzbekistan (37.4% and 36.4%).

In 15 of the 32 reporting economies, the preprimary participation rate for girls lagged behind that of boys. The biggest gaps were found in Palau (19.6 percentage points), the Federated States of Micronesia (7.0 percentage points), and Nepal (5.5 percentage points).

Providing qualified primary school teachers is a priority in most economies

Primary school teachers play a key role in ensuring the quality of children’s education. While national minimum training requirements can vary widely across economies, all primary education teachers should receive adequate and relevant pedagogical training, both pre-service and in-service, required for teaching at the relevant level.

Comparing 2000(or another early year) with 2009 (or another recent year), 15 of the 23 regional economies with available data increased the proportion of primary education teachers receiving the minimum organized training. The largest increases in this proportion over the review period were achieved in Nepal (from 15.4% to 97.3%), Kyrgyz Republic (from 52.0% to 95.4%), and Myanmar (from 62.7% to 97.8%). The largest declines in the proportion of primary education teachers receiving the minimum organized training were in Kiribati (from 93.9% to 72.7%), Fiji (from 97.8% to 90.1%), and Bangladesh (from 53.4% to 50.4%).

In 2017 (or the most recent year for which data are available), the proportion of primary education teachers receiving the minimum organized training exceeded 90% in 19 of the 23 reporting economies with available data for both 2000 and 2017 (see figure on the right). This compares favorably with 2000 (or the earliest year for which data are available), when only 10 of the 23 economies met the 90% threshold.

At least 20% of women aged 20–24 years old were married or in a union before the age of 18 in 11 of 29 regional economies

Early-age marriage can compromise the education outcomes of a girl or young woman. It can impact her employment prospects; the type, arrangements, and conditions of her future work; her overall well-being; and the health of her offspring.¹

In 11 of the 29 regional economies with available data, at least 20% of women between the ages of 20 and 24 years had been married or in a union before the age of 18 (Table 1.5.1). Bangladesh (58.6%) reported the largest proportion of women aged 20–24 being married or in a union before the age of 18 (see figure on the right). More than a quarter of women between the ages of 20 and 24 years were married or in a union before the age of 18 in Nepal (39.5%), Afghanistan (34.8%), the Lao PDR (32.7%), India (27.3%), and Bhutan (25.8%).

¹N.M. Nour. 2009. Child Marriage: A Silent Health and Human Rights. Reviews in Obstetrics & Gynecology. 2 (1). pp. 51–56.

Women’s representation in the national parliament exceeds 30% in only 3 economies

Sustainable development and societies in general can be strengthened by providing women and girls with equal access to education, health care, decent work, and representation in political and economic decision-making processes. Unfortunately, no economy in Asia and the Pacific was even remotely close to 50% representation of women in their national parliaments in 2018 (see figure on the right). In fact, only 3 of the 45 economies with available data had female parliamentary representation exceeding 30%: New Zealand (38.3%), Nepal (32.7%), and Timor-Leste (32.3%). A threshold of 15% for women’s representation was surpassed in only 25 of the 45 economies reporting in 2018, while 13 economies failed to achieve a 10% threshold.

A UN assessment of female participation in local governance in Asia and the Pacific showed that, as with national level data, female participation at the local level is far below gender parity levels. A shortage of women in elected local leadership posts implies that fewer women will continue into higher elected offices, at both the local and national level.¹

¹ADB and United Nations (UN) Women. 2018. Gender Equality and the Sustainable Development Goals in Asia and the Pacific: Baseline and Pathways for Transformative Change by 2030. Bangkok.

Economies are doing more to provide safe drinking water, but rural areas still lag

There is sufficient fresh water on the planet to provide clean water for all. Yet, millions of people die every year from diseases associated with inadequate water supply, sanitation, and hygiene. Proper management of water and sanitation services is needed to reduce the risk of contracting preventable diseases.

In 2017, the proportion of the population using safely managed drinking water services exceeded 90% in only 8 of the 25 regional economies with available data (see figure on the right). Among these 8 economies, the proportion reached 100% in Hong Kong, China; New Zealand; and Singapore. Conversely, the proportion of the population using safely managed drinking water services was below 50% in 9 economies.

Since 2000, all but 3 of the 25 reporting economies have made progress in providing safely managed drinking water services. Over the review period, the largest increases in the proportion of the population using such services were in Armenia (56.9 percentage points), Kazakhstan (32.0 percentage points), and Turkmenistan (28.0 percentage points).

Among the 10 reporting economies with data disaggregated into urban and rural areas, 9 had a higher share of the population using safely managed drinking water services in urban areas than in rural areas. The biggest discrepancies were observed in Uzbekistan (urban coverage 55.0 percentage points higher than rural coverage), Cambodia (39.9 percentage points), and the Kyrgyz Republic (39.6 percentage points). The exception was Bangladesh, where rural areas had greater access to safely managed drinking water services than did urban areas (by a difference of 16.9 percentage points).

The share of the population receiving safely managed sanitation services increased in 11 of 14 reporting economies between 2000 and 2017

Inadequate sanitation can negatively impact food security, livelihood choices, and educational opportunities. Only 4 of the 14 regional economies with available data for 2017 had more than 90% of the population using safely managed sanitation services. Coverage of such services reached or approached 100% in Singapore (100.0%), the Republic of Korea (99.9%), and Japan (98.8%) (see figure on the right). However, the share of the population accessing safely managed sanitation services in 2017 was below 50% in 4 of the 14 reporting economies.

From 2000 to 2017, 11 of the 14 economies increased the share of the population benefiting from safely managed sanitation services, 2 experienced a decline, and 1 remain unchanged (Singapore’s sanitation coverage was stable at 100%.). The largest increases during the review period were in the People’s Republic of China (PRC) (45.5 percentage points), the Lao PDR (36.2 percentage points), and the Republic of Korea (14.0 percentage points).

Among the 5 reporting economies with data disaggregated into urban and rural areas, 3 had a higher share of the population using safely managed sanitation services in urban areas, while 2 had a higher share in rural areas. The biggest discrepancy in sanitation services coverage in favor of urban areas was observed in the PRC (27.6 percentage points). The biggest discrepancy in favor of rural areas was in Samoa (13.2 percentage points).

Economies in Asia and the Pacific have significantly expanded access to electricity since 2000

Universal access to energy, improved energy efficiency, and the increased use of renewable energy support the development of sustainable and inclusive communities, while also strengthening resilience to climate change and other environmental hazards. Public and private investments in energy generation and distribution are needed globally, and greater emphasis should be placed on equitable regulatory frameworks and innovative business models.

Across economies of Asia and the Pacific, the proportion of the population with access to electricity exceeded 90% in 38 of the 48 economies with available data for 2017. This compares with 20 of 46 economies in 2000 (Table 1.7.1). No economy had electricity coverage below 50% of the population in 2017, compared with 12 economies in 2000.

From 2000 to 2017, the largest gains in expanding access to electricity across the population occurred in Afghanistan (74.7 percentage points), Cambodia (72.5 percentage points), and Nepal (68.4 percentage points) (see figure on the right).

Access to clean fuels and technology has broadly risen across the region since 2000, with a handful of economies lagging behind

In 16 of the 47 regional economies with available data on clean energy in 2017, more than 90% of the population had access to clean fuels and technology for cooking, heating, or lighting (see figure on the right). This compares with 9 economies in 2000.

From 2000 to 2017, the largest increases in the share of the population with access to clean energy occurred in Maldives (63.0 percentage points), the Marshall Islands (59.0 percentage points), and Indonesia (58.0 percentage points).

Conversely, the share of the population with access to clean energy was below 20% in 8 of the 46 reporting economies.

Age and gender gaps persist in job markets across Asia and the Pacific

Employment provides individuals with income and (in many cases) access to social protection coverage, unemployment benefits, pensions, and maternity leave. Yet, those in vulnerable forms of employment, such as the self-employed and contributing family workers, generally lack access to these benefits.¹

Of the 30 economies with available data for 2017 (or another recent year), all but 1 (Kazakhstan) had a higher rate of unemployment among the population aged 15–24 years than among the population aged 25 years and older (see figure on the right). Moreover, there were 13 economies with an employment gap between the two age groups that exceeded 10 percentage points. The most significant gaps were in Kiribati (33.1 percentage points), Armenia (22.7 percentage points), and Samoa (21.9 percentage points).

Among the population aged 15 years and older, there was a gender gap in unemployment in favor of males in 19 of the 34 economies with available data for 2017 (Table 1.8.2). In economies where there was a gender gap in unemployment in favor of girls and women in 2017, the largest gaps were in the Lao PDR (3.0 percentage points), Turkmenistan (3.0 percentage points), and Georgia (2.3 percentage points).

Closing the age and gender gaps in employment will require investments in youth education, increasing opportunities for girls and women to enroll in education and enter labor markets, promoting efficient school-to-work transition programs, and creating decent jobs.²

¹International Labour Organization (ILO). 2018. World Employment and Social Outlook: Trends 2018. Geneva, Switzerland: ILO.

²International Labour Organization (ILO). 2017. Global Employment Trends for Youth 2017: Paths To a Better Working Future. Geneva.

Manufacturing value added per capita increased in around 75% of economies in Asia and the Pacific since 2000, signaling progress in industrialization across most of the region

Manufacturing value-added is used to assess an economy’s level of industrialization. Its share as a percentage of gross domestic product (GDP) reflects manufacturing’s significance in an economy, as the jobs created by an expanding manufacturing sector can support an economy’s overall development.

From 2000 to 2018, an increase in manufacturing value-added per capita was observed in 34 of the 46 economies with available data (see figure on the right). Among the developing economies, the biggest gains (in constant 2010 United States dollars) occurred in the Republic of Korea ($4,371 per capita), Singapore ($2,348), and Turkmenistan ($2,118). The largest declines occurred in Brunei Darussalam ($1,499); Hong Kong, China ($389); and Samoa ($120).

In 2018, manufacturing value-added per capita exceeded $1,000 (in constant 2010 United States dollars) in 9 developing economies, led by Singapore ($9,358), the Republic of Korea ($7,769), and Brunei Darussalam ($4,738). Conversely, manufacturing value-added per capita was below $100 in 8 economies.

While Asia and the Pacific’s aggregate carbon dioxide (CO₂) emissions have risen, CO₂ emissions per unit of manufacturing value added declined in a majority of regional economies between 2000 and 2016

The adoption of clean and environmentally sound technologies and industrial processes promotes resource-use efficiency and reduces carbon dioxide (CO₂) emissions.

Across Asia and the Pacific, emissions—in term of kilograms (kg) of CO₂ equivalent—per unit of manufacturing value-added declined in 18 of the 30 regional economies with data available for both 2000 and 2016 (see figure on the right). The biggest declines per unit of manufacturing value-added (in 2010 constant United States dollars) occurred in Uzbekistan (2.2 kg of CO₂ equivalent), Myanmar (2.0 kg), and Armenia (1.3 kg). The largest increases were in Nepal (1.4 kg of CO₂ equivalent); Hong Kong, China (1.2 kg); and Viet Nam (0.5 kg).

In 2016, the economies with the highest levels of CO₂ emissions per unit of manufacturing value-added were Nepal (2.6 kg of CO₂ equivalent), Viet Nam (2.3 kg), and Kazakhstan (2.2 kg). In 2000, the three highest emitters in terms of CO₂ equivalent per unit of manufacturing value-added were Uzbekistan (3.2 kg of CO₂ equivalent), Mongolia (2.2 kg), and Kazakhstan (2.1 kg).

Household expenditure on the rise among the bottom 40% low-income sections of the population

Growth in household expenditure or income per capita was assessed over varying periods for each economy, usually periods of 5 or 6 years falling within 2008 and 2017.

Of the 18 developing economies with available data, household expenditure or income per capita rose for the bottom 40% of the total population in 17 economies (see figure on the right). Kazakhstan was the exception, with a negligible average annual decline of 0.02%. The biggest gains during the review period were in the PRC (9.1% average annual growth), Malaysia (8.3%), and the Philippines (5.1%).

Over the review period, average annual growth rates in household expenditure or income per capita among the bottom 40% outpaced the annual growth rates for the total population in 11 of the 18 reporting economies. The largest increases in favor of the bottom 40% occurred in the Philippines (2.6 percentage points), Malaysia (2.4 percentage points), the PRC (1.7 percentage points), and Fiji (1.7 percentage points).

The economies in which the average annual growth rates in household expenditure or income per capita among the bottom 40% lagged behind the growth rates for the total population were Armenia (–1.5 percentage points), Pakistan (–1.5 percentage points), and Tajikistan (–1.3 percentage points).

Air pollution is dangerously high in urban areas of highly populated economies

Particulate matter with a diameter equal to or less than 2.5 microns (PM_2.5) is the most commonly used pollutant in studies on health effects caused by exposure to air pollution. The primary sources of particulate matter include the combustion of fossil fuels for industry, transportation, and power generation, as well as household activities such as heating, cooking, and lighting (WHO 2018).

In 2016, the annual mean of the daily concentrations of fine suspended particles equal to or less than PM_2.5 in urban areas exceeded 10 micrograms per cubic meter (µg/m³)—the maximum recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO 2018)—in all but 4 of the 43 economies in Asia and the Pacific with available data (Table 1.11.1). These 4 economies, and their respective annual means, were Brunei Darussalam (5.8 µg/m³), New Zealand (5.8 µg/m³), Australia (7.3 µg/m³), and Maldives (7.7 µg/m³). The regional economies with the highest annual means of daily concentrations of PM_2.5 in urban areas were Nepal (99.5 µg/m³), India (68.0 µg/m³), and Afghanistan (59.9 µg/m³).

When considering the 10 largest economies in Asia and the Pacific in terms of population, 4 of the 5 most populous had the highest annual means of daily concentrations of PM_2.5 in urban areas in 2016: India (68.0 µg/m³), Bangladesh (58.6 µg/m³), Pakistan (56.2 µg/m³), and the PRC (51.0 µg/m³) (see figure on the right). In 9 of the region’s 10 most populous economies, air pollution levels in urban areas exceeded the economy’s overall level of air pollution. Myanmar was the exception, as its annual mean of daily concentrations of PM_2.5 in urban areas (34.6 µg/m³) was just slightly below the level for all of Myanmar (34.7 µg/m³).

Aggregate domestic material consumption has more than doubled in Asia and the Pacific since 2000, although about one-fifth of the region’s economies have reduced their domestic material consumption on a per capita basis

Domestic material consumption measures the total amount of material directly used in production processes within an economy.

On an aggregate basis, domestic material consumption in Asia and the Pacific more than doubled from 23.7 billion metric tons (t) in 2000 to 53.6 billion t in 2017 (Table 1.12.1). The region’s most populous economy, the PRC, accounted for half the region’s total in 2000 and about two-thirds of it in 2017.

On a per capita basis, 3 regional economies had a domestic material consumption over 30 t in 2017: Australia (37.9 t), Mongolia (34.5 t), and Singapore (32.6 t) (see figure on the right). The lowest levels of domestic material consumption per capita were in Tuvalu (1.1 t), Palau (1.2 t), and Afghanistan (1.9 t).

From 2000 to 2017, the largest increases in domestic material consumption per capita occurred in the PRC (15.7 t), Mongolia (14.1 t), and Tonga (13.5 t). Reductions in domestic material consumption per capita over the review period were realized in 9 of the 44 economies with available data. The economies with reductions were led by Singapore (–33.8 t), Australia (–7.6 t), and the Republic of Korea (–4.4 t).

Economies across Asia and the Pacific are developing sound disaster risk reduction strategies

The Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction, 2015–2030 recognizes the state (central government) as having primary responsibility for reducing disaster risk, while also sharing this responsibility with local governments, the private sector, and other stakeholders. The framework can help governments substantially reduce disaster risk and minimize the loss of lives, livelihoods, and health as may be experienced as a result of natural disasters.

Figure on the right outlines the results of self-assessments conducted by 15 economies in Asia and the Pacific on how well their national disaster risk reduction strategies align with the Sendai Framework. The results show that, in 2018 (or the most recent year for which data are available), 3 of the 15 economies achieved a score of 1.0, indicating comprehensive alignment with the framework. These economies were Armenia, Georgia, Japan, the Republic of Korea, and Mongolia. Another 8 economies had a score of 0.5 or higher, reflecting at least a moderate alignment with the framework. Note that Malaysia’s self-assessment returned a score of 0, so it is not included in the figure on the right.

More than half of all reporting economies protect less than 1% of their total marine areas

About 71 percent of the Earth's surface is covered by water, and the oceans hold about 96.5% of all Earth's water (USGS 2019). As they play a critical role in our planet’s overall health, our existence is threatened by the deterioration of seas and oceans as a result of overexploitation, pollution, and the impacts of climate change. SDG 14 stresses that careful environmental management is needed to curtail (and ultimately reverse) declines in biodiversity, rebuild depleted fish stocks, and reduce ocean acidification in order to ensure the long-term, sustainable use of marine resources.

Some economies in Asia and the Pacific have taken bold measures to protect their marine resources. In 2018, the proportion of protected area to total marine area exceeded 80% in the Cook Islands (100.0%) and Palau (83.0%) (see figure on the right). The next highest proportions of protected marine resources were in Australia (40.6%), New Zealand (29.7%), and Kiribati (11.8%).

However, of the 37 regional economies with available data on marine areas in 2018, 32 had protected areas covering less than the SDG target of 10%, which is to be met in 2020. More alarmingly, 19 economies had extended protection to less than 1% of their total marine area in 2018.

Overexploitation of forest resources remains a risk for a number of regional economies

Forests cover more than 30% of the Earth’s land surface. They are on the front line in the struggle against climate change—absorbing and storing massive amounts of carbon dioxide (CO₂)—and their preservation is key to protecting biodiversity.

Forested areas as a proportion of an economy’s total land exceeded 30% in 25 of the 46 economies of Asia and the Pacific with available data for 2016 (see figure on the right). The highest proportions were in the FSM (91.9%), Palau (87.6%), and the Lao PDR (82.1%) (see figure on the right). Conversely, the economies with the lowest proportions of forested land to total land in 2016 were Nauru (0.0%), Kazakhstan (1.2%), and Pakistan (1.9%).

From 2000 to 2016, 17 of the 46 reporting economies experienced an increase in the proportion of forested land to total land, with the largest gains occurring in the Lao PDR (10.5 percentage points), Viet Nam (10.4 percentage points), and Bhutan (7.0 percentage points). The biggest decreases occurred in Cambodia (–12.6 percentage points), Timor-Leste (–12.1 percentage points), and Myanmar (–9.7 percentage points). (Table 1.15.1)

Extinction risks rising in almost every economy of Asia and the Pacific

The Red List Index is a composite measure representing aggregate survival probability (the inverse of extinction risk) for all birds, mammals, amphibians, corals, and cycads occurring within an economy, weighted by the fraction of each species’ distribution occurring within that economy. Index values can range from 0.0 (indicating all species are categorized as “extinct”) to 1.0 (indicating all species are categorized as “least concern”).

In 2018, 26 of the 48 regional economies with available data garnered a score of at least 0.8 on the Red List Index, down from 37 economies in 2000 (see figure on the right). The highest Red List Index scores in 2018 were recorded in the Central Western economies of Tajikistan (0.99), the Kyrgyz Republic (0.98), Turkmenistan (0.97), and Uzbekistan (0.97).

There were 8 economies that scored 0.7 or lower on the Red List Index in 2018: the FSM (0.69), India (0.68), Malaysia (0.68), Fiji (0.67), Vanuatu (0.66), the Philippines (0.64), New Zealand (0.63), and Sri Lanka (0.56).

Over the review period, all 48 reporting economies, apart from Nepal (0.82 to 0.83) and Niue (0.76 to 0.77), experienced a decline in their scores. The largest declines were recorded in Palau (0.91 to 0.73), Malaysia (0.83 to 0.68), and Sri Lanka (0.66 to 0.56).

Intentional homicide reduced in around 80% of Asian and Pacific economies

Effective, transparent, and accountable institutions are needed at all levels to promote peaceful and inclusive societies, including the reduction of intentional homicides.

Comparing 2000–2004 with 2011–2017, the number of victims of intentional homicide per 100,000 people fell in 29 of the 37 regional economies with available data (see figure on the right). The largest declines in the intentional homicide rate occurred in Kazakhstan¹ (–10.4), Mongolia (–7.7), and Thailand (–5.0). The largest increases were in the Pacific economies of Tuvalu (18.6)², Kiribati (3.9), PNG (1.7), and Timor-Leste (1.6).

In 2017 (or the most recent year for which data are available), the lowest rates of intentional homicide per 100,000 people were in Japan (0.2); Singapore (0.2); and Hong Kong, China (0.3). The highest rates were in Tuvalu (18.6), PNG (10.0), and the Philippines (8.4).

¹Per the UN Office on Drugs and Crime, counting rules changes in the time series are not specified. The changes in methodology were not accounted for in the statement.

²The population of Tuvalu in 2017 was around 11,000 people. The indicator is presented per 100,000 population. Therefore, one victim of intentional homicide could lead to a spike in the rate for Tuvalu.

More than 20% of firms in 19 of 32 developing member economies reported being solicited for a bribe by a public official within the most recent year for which data are available

Corruption can be challenging to assess and quantify. As one measure, the World Bank asks firms if they have been solicited by public officials for gifts or informal payments. By doing so, the World Bank seeks to determine the bribery prevalence rate in an economy in the context of service delivery and other transactions.

Across a review period in which the most recent year of available data ranged from 2009 to 2018, the proportion of firms reporting that they had been solicited by public officials for gifts or informal payments exceeded 20% in 19 of 32 economies (see figure on the right). The lowest levels of reported bribery solicitations occurred in Bhutan (0.9%), Georgia (2.2%), and the FSM (4.5%).

Financial and technical assistance doubled in one-third of reporting economies

Helping the most vulnerable communities requires partnerships between governments, the private sector, and civil society to efficiently mobilize and redirect public and private resources to deliver on sustainable development objectives.

When comparing annual averages of the periods 2000–2008 and 2009–2017, the value (in constant 2017 United States dollars) of financial and technical assistance increased in 35 of the 41 developing economies of Asia and the Pacific with available data (see figure on the right). The largest amounts of average annual financial and technical assistance during 2009–2017 went to Afghanistan ($1,405 million), Indonesia ($1,310 million), and Pakistan ($894 million).

From 2000–2008 to 2009–2017, the value of average financial and technical assistance more than doubled in 14 of the 41 reporting economies. In absolute (constant 2017 United States dollars) terms, the largest increases occurred in Afghanistan ($843 million), Indonesia ($669 million), and Pakistan ($529 million). The largest absolute declines were in the FSM ($17 million), the Solomon Islands ($11 million), and the Marshall Islands ($9 million).

High-quality statistical data is imperative for improving development effectiveness, yet the amount of all resources made available to strengthen statistical capacity increased only in about 40% of regional economies over the past decade

Financing better-quality statistical data, and increasing transparency in monitoring and accountability, will help improve development effectiveness. However, many developing economies in Asia and the Pacific need support from partners to build institutional capacity and improve data collection activities.

In 2016, the highest levels of financial resources (in current United States dollars) dedicated to statistical capacity building were observed in Cambodia ($2.22 million), Uzbekistan ($2.00 million), and Myanmar ($1.84 million) (see figure on the right).

From 2006 (or the earliest year for which data are available) to 2016, the dollar value of all resources made available for strengthening statistical capacity increased in only 17 of the 41 developing economies with available data. The largest increases (in current United States dollars) were in Uzbekistan ($1.73 million), the Solomon Islands ($1.28 million), and Nepal ($1.01 million).