Thailand
Lockdown index: 8.4
2020 current account to GDP: 3.1%
2021 GDP growth: 3.9%
Thailand is the second-largest economy in Southeast Asia after Indonesia. The country has a well-developed infrastructure and export-oriented manufacturing industry. Thailand’s export accounts for more than two-thirds of its gross domestic product. The country mainly exports electronics, agricultural products, cars, and processed food. The main agricultural products imported from Thailand include rice, sugar, rubber, coconuts, palm oil, corn, vegetables, and fruit. Tourism is another important source of the country’s income. Last year, it sank significantly due to quarantine restrictions for visitors.
Russia
Lockdown index: 25.2
2020 current account to GDP: 1.9%
2021 GDP growth: 3%
The Russian Federation has a transition economy that is driven by its service sector and industrial manufacturing. Apart from that, Russia is one of the leading oil suppliers in the global market. Meanwhile, its agricultural sector is shrinking every year. Notably, the share of raw materials in Russia’s manufacturing industry is increasing.
South Korea
Lockdown index: 10.9
2020 current account to GDP: 3.4%
2021 GDP growth: 3.2%
South Korea is a highly developed industrial and agricultural country. Its industrial sector has grown rapidly over the past decade and shows great performance. South Korea is one of the largest exporters of vessels, electronics, and cars.
Taiwan
Lockdown index: 2.2
2020 current account to GDP: 11.3%
2021 GDP growth: 3.4%
Taiwan has a dynamic capitalist economy. Recently, many of its state-owned banks and large industrial enterprises have been privatized. Initially, Taiwan’s economy was based on agriculture. However, it has recently been overtaken by the quickly developing industrial manufacturing. As a result, the country’s total exports increased significantly.
Malaysia
Lockdown index: 49.2
2020 current account to GDP: 3%
2021 GDP growth: 6.8%
Malaysia is one of the newly industrialized countries in terms of the main economic indicators. The service sector accounts for 52.4% of the country’s GDP. Among its rapidly developing sectors are financial services, real estate, wholesale and retail trade, communication technologies, and government services.
Economic inequality remains one of the most pressing issues in today's world. To measure the gap between the rich and the poor in each country, the Gini index is used. This coefficient reflects how income is distributed within a society: the closer the index is to 100, the greater the inequality. Let's explore which countries currently have the highest Gini index values
This year has been pivotal for Bitcoin, the world's leading cryptocurrency. One of the key milestones was the approval of Bitcoin spot ETFs by the US Securities and Exchange Commission. In April 2024, Bitcoin also experienced a halving event, which is typically seen as a positive development for the digital asset. This year, the cryptocurrency is up 57%, and analysts remain optimistic about its future. However, they highlight four key factors that could influence Bitcoin's trajectory, both for better and for worse
Analytical periodical US News and World Report has presented its ranking of the best countries in the world in terms of quality of life, based on a survey of nearly 17,000 people. The list considers factors such as economic and political stability, a strong labor market, income equality, family-friendliness, safety, the quality of education, and healthcare systems. Let's find out which countries made it to the top of this list.
