An important pillar of CSR is the role of non-government organisations (NGOs) as partners in channeling funds to social sectors. While NGOs are committed to social development, their work is severely constrained without funding support. CSR funding strengthens the NGO ecosystem, while corporates gain a credible channel to fulfil their ethical…
Importantly, coal reserves are concentrated in economically disadvantaged states, where people rely directly on mining jobs and indirectly on linked activities. Thus, while the closure of coal-based assets is central to a long-term transition, it will be highly disruptive for both the sector and local communities if the transition is not…
Demographic data show South Asia’s working-age population rose from 66.7% (2019) to 67.9% (2024), while the share in high-income countries fell from 65.6% to 64.7%. South Asia’s vast diaspora can further strengthen the region by leveraging knowledge networks, remittances, and investment flows.⁸
Two demographic shifts are increasingly seen to be transforming global economies and labour markets: aging and declining working-age populations, predominantly in the developed economies, and expanding working-age populations, predominantly in the less developed economies.
With the Ukraine war and the resulting sanctions making it difficult for Russia to trade with its allies, being barred from using SWIFT or the US dollar, it resulted in Russia resorting to local currencies to trade that resulted in the …
China’s presence in South Asia has expanded considerably since the launch of the BRI in 2013. Beyond trade and infrastructure, it has emerged as a provider of military hardware and a key influencer in education, media, and policy discourse. China's outreach in smaller South Asian countries is multifaceted, ranging from party-to-party diplomacy…
In a consumption-driven economy like India, expanding credit access—through microfinance NBFCs and fintech lenders—is crucial. However, regulators aInd policymakers must closely monitor this space to avoid large-scale defaults. While underserved consumer segments depend on such loans for upward mobility, repayment capacity must not be…
South Asia faces mounting challenges in financing sustainable development due to global funding gaps, debt pressures, and shifting U.S. policies. Explore the latest trends, data, and implications.
It is estimated that about 37% percent of the world’s 1.1 billion multi-dimensionally poor people live in South Asia. And an estimated 272 million poor people in the region live in households with at least one undernourished person.
There is a strong case to develop MVI for all countries of South Asia based on climate and other vulnerability indicators so that these countries could access and channelise green finance to fulfil their SDG goals.
