Asian Development Outlook (ADO) Series

Growth in Developing Asia is projected to expand by 5.7% in 2019 despite the trade conflict between the People’s Republic of China (PRC) and the United States (US).

The ADO 2019 provides economic analysis and growth projections for 45 economies in Asia and the Pacific. Its theme chapter analyzes trends in disaster impacts and suggests policies to strengthen disaster resilience.

Backed by robust domestic demand, developing Asia continues to weather external headwinds.

Developing Asia's gross domestic product is forecast to expand by 6.0% in 2018 and 5.8% in 2019. Consumer prices for 2018 and 2019 are projected to rise by 2.8%.

Developing Asia is seen to maintain growth projections at 6.0% for 2018 and 5.9% for 2019. However rise in protectionist trade measures from other countries poses a clear downside risk to the region’s outlook.

The theme chapter of this year’s ADO explores technology and jobs. While new technologies will displace certain types of jobs, rising demand and higher output will create jobs, and new occupations and industries will emerge.

The growth outlook for developing Asia this year is upgraded to 6.0%, or 0.1 percentage points higher than the rate envisaged in September in Asian Development Outlook 2017 Update.

Developing Asia is forecast to expand by 5.9% in 2017 and 5.8% in 2018, a slight upgrade from projections in Asian Development Outlook 2017.

With export demand stronger than expected in the first quarter of 2017, the region’s GDP is forecast to expand somewhat faster than forecast in April in Asian Development Outlook 2017.

Developing Asia has continued to perform well, even as recovery in the major industrial economies remains weak. The region is forecast to expand by 5.7% in 2017 and 2018, nearly the 5.8% growth achieved in 2016.