Economic Outlook for Southeast Asia, China and India 2020 – Update

Economic Outlook for Southeast Asia, China and India 2020 - UPDATE: Meeting the Challenges of COVID-19

• Overview: This biannual publication by the OECD's Economic Outlook for Southeast Asia, China and India aims to provide insights into regional economic growth, development, and integration in Emerging Asia. It specifically focuses on the ASEAN member countries and China, India, offering comprehensive analysis and projections.

• Key Dimensions: The 2020 update comprises three main sections:

  1. Regional Economic Monitor: Offers an overview of the economic outlook and macroeconomic challenges in the region.
  2. Policy Priorities: Addresses critical issues arising from the COVID-19 pandemic, emphasizing the importance of digitalization and policies in healthcare, tourism, and education sectors.
  3. Thematic Chapters: Focuses on education quality, discussing policy recommendations based on PISA 2018 findings.

• COVID-19 Impact: The pandemic underscores the significance of digital tools in policy-making, necessitating balanced approaches to maximize their benefits while ensuring cybersecurity. Emergency support measures in the tourism sector should be complemented with long-term strategies. Health sector policies are crucial for managing current outbreaks and preparing for potential future ones. Regional cooperation in addressing the pandemic and its effects is ongoing and requires reinforcement.

• Education Quality: The report highlights the need for improvements in access to and quality of education, enhancing learning productivity, addressing gender disparities, socioeconomic divides among schools, fostering a positive learning environment, and increasing investment in the education system.

• Collaboration and Support: The OECD Development Centre collaborates with governments of developing and emerging economies, as well as regional actors, to identify key intervention areas. It supports Asian countries in promoting economic and social well-being through rigorous analysis, peer learning, and the exchange of best practices.

• Publication Details: The document is published under the responsibility of the OECD Secretary-General, with the understanding that the expressed opinions do not necessarily reflect the official views of the member countries or the Development Centre. It is accessible online via the OECD iLibrary.

• Corrigenda: Updates and corrections to the publication can be found online at the OECD website.