Policy analysis

At the international poverty line of $3 a day, an additional 1.4 million people are estimated to have slipped into poverty between 2022 and 2025 due to stagnant labour incomes and persistent inflation that eroded the benefits of whatever growth occurred.

The UN assessment ends on a note of cautious urgency. The Seville Commitment, though imperfect, still represents the clearest roadmap available.

As the two-week ceasefire takes effect, markets will be watching closely for signs of sustained de-escalation. Yet even if fighting subsides, the economic scars of the Iran war may take far longer to heal, the three organisations said.

India’s economy is projected to grow at 6.6 per cent in fiscal year 2026-27 (FY27), a moderation from the 7.6 per cent expansion expected in FY26, as higher energy prices triggered by the Middle East conflict and supply chain disruptions weigh on activity.

The consultations underscore that the crisis is not merely statistical. It reflects lived realities in which women are increasingly isolated within their homes.

As fighting continues in Rakhine State, the report serves as a stark reminder that Rohingya civilians remain trapped between warring factions, their safety and dignity under relentless assault.

The kingdom’s Gross National Happiness philosophy, which places equal weight on economic progress and environmental stewardship, faces a practical test here.

With the region still recovering from previous shocks, the latest ADB analysis serves as a timely reminder of the region’s exposure to distant geopolitical events.