The European Union and Central Asia are experiencing slower growth since the 2008 financial crisis due to low productivity levels rather than a lack of capital or labor.
Sovereign wealth funds now manage over $16 trillion, up fivefold since 2008. As mandates expand into infrastructure and industrial policy, weak legal frameworks risk distorting budgets and governance.
The OECD’s net worth as a percentage of disposable income has risen from 175% in 2009 to 300% in 2021. Top 1% own more than bottom 40% combined. Concentration diminished in late 2010s as housing prices rose, making it easier for middle/low-income homeowners to buy homes.
Displacement, seasonal flooding, and the ensuing conflict challenge the pace of humanitarian support, with up to 150 families arriving daily in El-Obeid. In spite of the enormous need, the appeal for Sudan is just 41% funded for this year.
The war in the Middle East has disrupted the oil market on an unprecedented scale, practically blocking the Strait of Hormuz and stopping around 20 percent of the global flow of crude oil. However, prices increased only to the range of $90-100 per barrel instead of skyrocketing due to three factors.
Europe's natural gas price jumped 19 percent in July, but prices of oil, coal, and metals fell, leaving the world commodity index virtually flat, according to the World Bank.
EU signs IRIS² deal to expand satellite fleet to 348. Aimed at boosting security and emergency capacity by 50% with launches starting 2029 and billions in funding. It will provide secure and sovereign broadband services for emergency services and defense by 2029.
International tourism grew as almost 307 million people travelled overseas during the first quarter of 2026 (+ 2% year-on-year). However, the tourism recovery was uneven between regions, with Europe and Africa posting gains while Middle Eastern regions recorded a fall of 14%.
AI-enabled exports are transforming EAP economies, with Malaysia, Thailand, and Viet Nam at the forefront of a transition towards higher-value production based on technology.
