Economics Working Papers
The Economics Working Papers series is a forum for stimulating discussion on research and policy studies that deal with economic and development problems facing the Asia and Pacific region.
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Working Conditions, Work Outcomes, and Policy in Asian Developing Countries
Working conditions in developing countries are the focus of policy makers and stakeholders in Europe, the Americas, and especially Asia. In this debate, the garment sector has perhaps captured the most attention. -
Skills and Activity Upgrading in Global Value Chains: Trends and Drivers for Asia
Findings suggest that technological change in global value chains that is biased toward skilled activities is important in accounting for the trends observed. -
Developing Local Currency Bond Markets in Asia
Asian economies have come a long way in building local currency bond markets, but more needs to be done to strengthen market infrastructure and institutions, address inconsistent policies and regulations, and enhance corporate governance. -
The Impact of Sex Ratios before Marriage on Household Saving in Two Asian Countries: The Competitive Saving Motive Revisited
This paper estimates a household saving rate equation for India and the Republic of Korea using long-term time series data for 1975 to 2010, focusing in particular on the impact of the premarital sex ratio on the household saving rate. -
The Impact of a People’s Republic of China Slowdown on Commodity Prices and Detecting the Asymmetric Responses of Economic Activity in Asian Countries to Commodity Price Shocks
Adopting a structural dynamic regression and censoring positive and negative shocks, findings suggest limited evidence of any asymmetric response of economic activity to positive and negative commodity price shocks. -
Effects of the People’s Republic of China’s Structural Change on the Exports of East and Southeast Asian Economies
The People’s Republic of China’s structural transformation from an export- and investment-led economy to a domestic demand- and consumption-led economy is likely to have a significant impact on its import structure. -
Determinants of Consumer Price Inflation versus Producer Price Inflation in Asia
This paper investigates the extent to which inflation in 10 Asian economies reflects cost-push inflation or other factors such as excess aggregate demand or inflationary expectations. -
Deflation in Asia: Should the Dangers Be Dismissed?
The traditional view is that deflation can lead to a vicious cycle of falling demand and prices. However, another school of thought emphasizes the role of positive supply shocks and takes a more benign view. -
Understanding Recent Trends in Income Inequality in the People’s Republic of China
Evidence suggests that reversal of key drivers of rising income inequality in the People's Republic of China, with the exception of wealth inequality, could partly explain the decline in income inequality since 2008. -
Catching Up, Structural Transformation, and Inequality: Lessons from Asia
While structural change is vital for Asia’s economic dynamism and growth, it may exacerbate inequality in the region.