Economics Perspective

Global Findex 2025 data shows women's financial account ownership in low- and middle-income countries rose to 73% in 2024, up from 66% in 2021. Digital payment usage grew from 50% to 58% and formal savings from 22% to 36%, yet over 700 million women remain unbanked. High fees, distance, and limited access to credit continue to hinder full financial inclusion and economic independence. Ali Mitchell, Head of Product Management at Western Union, states that digital accounts allow individuals to conduct their financial activities at any time or in any location, which makes it far easier to use and access the financial system.

The World Bank scorecard reveals mixed global development trends: 839 million in poverty, 76% financial access, and uneven progress in electricity & displacement, highlighting structural weaknesses & need for targeted action. The financial inclusion of women in South Asia is one of the most dramatic, as the number of female account owners increased from 27% to 83%. Aesthetically, the gender gap that used to prevail in the chart has been significantly reduced, which signifies a change in structures and not marginal improvement.

At a Tokyo policy symposium, IMF’s Kristalina Georgieva projected 3.3% global growth for 2026 but warned of oil shocks, geopolitical risks, and demographic shifts. She urged fiscal buffers and agility, noting AI could boost Asia’s growth 0.8 points annually.

Renewable sources of energy have become the cheapest way to generate electricity in many parts of the world. Currently, more than 90 percent of all new renewable electricity generation projects are cheaper than fossil-fuel-based options. In addition to providing lower-cost electricity, the use of renewable sources of energy also has positive impacts on public health.

The World Bank Group has focused on five key industries in which there is great potential for creating employment opportunities: the energy and infrastructure sector, agriculture and agribusiness, health care, tourism, and manufacturing. Each of these sectors is interconnected with the other and supports the creation and development of many job opportunities and a broad-based development strategy.

In a world long dominated by the financial tides of the US dollar, a new story is unfolding, driven not by a grand, planned design but by an unexpected external force: the tariff policies of Donald Trump. Trump's renewed presidency saw him sign an executive order in early 2025, first imposing tariffs on imports from China, then escalating to a "universal" tariff on nearly all imports. But the most pointed attacks were reserved for the BRICS bloc and their partners.

Resolving fragility is not only the role of humanitarian action but also important for international security and economic equality. The country is experiencing fragility and conflicts through a multifaceted issue that hinders development and undermines social security. Prolonged hostilities, weak institutions, and state capacity constraints prevent governments from providing necessary services.