The World Bank says unlocking the potential of micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) could yield the biggest job gains in South Asia. These firms account for the majority of employment but face regulatory hurdles, unreliable infrastructure, and limited access to credit. Simplifying tax and labor laws, investing in energy and transportation, and eliminating favoritism […]
Despite rapid economic growth, South Asia remains one of the world’s most unequal regions for working women. Only about one in three women participate in the labor force, compared with one in two globally, according to the World Bank. Cultural norms, household duties, and safety concerns keep many out of paid work. Experts say governments […]
South Asia’s population is growing younger and more restless. By 2035, nearly 300 million people in the region will be between 15 and 24, the World Bank reports. With current growth patterns, about a quarter — more than 70 million — will be neither in school nor employed. Analysts warn the numbers could undermine economic […]
Youth frustration over corruption and unemployment is reshaping South Asia’s politics. In Nepal, Generation Z protests against graft and joblessness brought down the government in September 2025. A year earlier, student demonstrations in Bangladesh forced the prime minister into exile, while similar unrest in Sri Lanka in 2022 ousted its president. Governments that emerged from […]
OpenAI has expanded its budget-friendly ChatGPT Go plan across South Asia, bringing the $4.50-a-month subscription to Bangladesh, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Afghanistan, and several neighboring countries. India, which received access earlier this year, already offers the service. The plan provides affordable access to OpenAI’s GPT-5 model, enabling features like image generation, file uploads, and advanced […]
The World Bank warned Tuesday that U.S. tariffs on Indian exports will slow South Asia’s growth next year, even as India remains the world’s fastest-growing major economy. Regional growth is projected to ease to 5.8% in 2026 from 6.6% in 2025, largely due to higher U.S. tariffs on Indian goods. President Donald Trump imposed a […]
South Asia is among the regions most affected by President Trump’s new policy imposing a $100,000 fee on new H-1B visa applications. In FY2024, South Asian countries together accounted for over 290,000 H-1B visas, with India alone representing 71% of all approvals. While India’s dominance in the program makes it the most exposed, smaller countries […]
South Asia is emerging as one of the most vulnerable regions to freshwater depletion, with new satellite data showing steep losses across its major river basins. The Indus and Ganges-Brahmaputra systems, which sustain hundreds of millions of people in Pakistan, India, Nepal and Bangladesh, are experiencing some of the fastest rates of water decline in […]
Bangladesh’s apparel exports to the United States surged 21.66% year-on-year in the first seven months of 2025, reaching $4.98 billion, according to trade data. The growth far outpaced the overall U.S. apparel import rise of 4.96%, which totaled $45.80 billion globally. In quantity, U.S. imports of Bangladeshi garments increased 20.33%, while unit prices climbed 1.11%. […]
India and Pakistan, South Asia’s two largest states, continue to hold the region back through their entrenched hostility. Since partition, repeated wars and deep mistrust have kept borders tense and diverted massive resources toward defense instead of development. Trade remains negligible despite the huge potential for economic growth, while cooperation on shared challenges like climate […]
