About the Region

Home to nearly half the world's poor, as well as some of the most advanced economies, Asia faces complex challenges in regional governance, economic reform, and development. While some countries have experienced periods of sustained economic growth, gains have often been distributed unevenly. There is a burgeoning youth population with limited employment opportunities and terrorism is a growing concern. The capacity of government institutions to deliver services is limited and corruption is widespread. As Asian countries continue to urbanize and industrialize, they must also address the resulting environmental degradation, increased greenhouse gas emissions, and threats to the region's rich biodiversity. HIV/AIDS continues to be a critical problem and emerging infectious diseases, such as avian influenza are taking a serious toll on economies in Asia.