# Economy of South Asia

The economy of South Asia comprises 2 billion people (25% of the world population) living in eight countries (though Afghanistan is sometimes excluded). The Indian subcontinent was historically one of the richest regions in the world, comprising 25% of world GDP as recently as 1700, but experienced significant de-industrialisation and a doubling of extreme poverty during the colonial era of the late 18th to mid-20th century. In the post-colonial era, South Asia has grown significantly, with India advancing because of economic liberalisation from the 1980s onwards, and extreme poverty now below 15% in the region. South Asia has been the fastest-growing region of the world since 2014.
Despite projected growth rates of about 6.0-6.1 percent for 2024-2025, South Asia continues to face significant economic challenges. A notable slowdown in private investment, especially in key sectors such as manufacturing and services, poses a major concern. Additionally, persistent employment issues, particularly low female workforce participation, highlight broader socio-economic disparities. The region is also critically vulnerable to climate-related impacts, including flooding and heatwaves, which significantly affect the agricultural sector—a fundamental component of local economies. This environmental susceptibility strains the already limited capacity of the public sector to adapt, increasing dependence on resilience initiatives from local businesses, farmers, and vulnerable communities.$^{:xv}$

## History
### Ancient and medieval era

Around 500 BC, the Mahajanapadas minted punch-marked silver coins. The period was marked by intensive trade activity and urban development. By 300 BC, the Maurya Empire had united most of the Indian subcontinent except Tamilakam, which was ruled by the Three Crowned Kings. The resulting political unity and military security allowed for a common economic system and enhanced trade and commerce, with increased agricultural productivity.
The Maurya Empire was followed by classical and early medieval kingdoms, including the Cholas, Pandyas, Cheras, Guptas, Western Gangas, Harsha, Palas, Rashtrakutas and Hoysalas. The Indian subcontinent, due to its large population, had the largest economy of any region in the world for most of the interval between the 1st and 18th centuries. Angus Maddison estimates that from 1-1000 AD India constituted roughly 30% of the world's Population and GDP.
India experienced per-capita GDP growth in the high medieval era, coinciding with the Delhi Sultanate. By the late 17th century, most of the Indian subcontinent had been reunited under the Mughal Empire, which for a time Maddison estimates became the largest economy and manufacturing power in the world, producing about a quarter of global GDP, before fragmenting and being conquered over the next century. Bengal Subah, the empire's wealthiest province, had an advanced, productive agriculture, textile manufacturing and shipbuilding, in a period of proto-industrialization.

### Colonial era
## Contemporary era
### Post-colonial era

In the aftermath of in the late 1940s and the Indian subcontinent's independence from British rule, Pakistan chose to have a more capitalistic economy and aligned itself more closely with the United States, while India went with a more closed economy dubbed as the "License Raj" and eventually aligned more closely with the Soviet Union. Rising economic inequality and misrule by West Pakistan towards East Pakistan contributed to the 1971 independence of Bangladesh, however. Both India and Pakistan then went through a period of economic liberalisation in the 1980s and '90s, which resulted in India going from having around half of Pakistan's GDP per capita in 1990 to surpassing Pakistan by the 2010s. Bangladesh, which had started off substantially poorer than both India and Pakistan at the time of its independence, has grown substantially, and has also surpassed Pakistan's GDP per capita.

### Recent decades

India is the largest economy in the region (US$4.11 trillion) and makes up almost 80% of the South Asian economy; it is the world's 5th largest economy in nominal terms and the world's 3rd largest economy by purchasing power adjusted exchange rates (US$14.26 trillion). India is the member of G-20 major economies and BRICS from the region. It is the fastest-growing major economy in the world and one of the world's fastest registering a growth of 7.2% in FY 2022-23.
India is followed by Bangladesh, which has a GDP of ($446 billion).
a. It is one of the emerging and growth-leading economies of the world, and is also listed among the Next Eleven countries. It is also one of the fastest-growing middle-income countries. It has the world's 33rd largest GDP in nominal terms and is the 27th largest by purchasing power adjusted exchange rates (476015 trillion). Bangladesh's economic growth was 6.4% in 2022. Pakistan has an economy of ($40 billion nominal GDP. Next is Sri Lanka, which has the 2nd highest GDP per capita and the 4th largest economy in the region.
Certain parts of South Asia are significantly wealthier than others; the four Indian states of Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, Gujarat and Karnataka are projected to account for almost 50% of India's GDP by 2030, while the five South Indian states comprising 20% of India's population are expected to contribute 35% of India's GDP by 2030.
The major stock exchanges in the region are Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE) with market Capitalization of $3.8 trillion (8th largest in the world), National Stock Exchange of India (NSE) with market capitalization of $3.27 trillion (9th largest in the world), Dhaka Stock Exchange (DSE), Colombo Stock Exchange (CSE), and Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) with market capitalization of $72 billion. Economic data is sourced from the International Monetary Fund, current as of April 2017, and is given in US dollars.
India is home to the Indian Premier League, which is the second-most valued sports league in the world on a per-match basis.

## National economies
### Tables

English Belt (Anglosphere): United States of America (USA), United Kingdom (England), Canada, Australia and New Zealand
India (Indian Union) is a "Union-cum-Country", Pakistan (Pakistani Union) is also a "Union-cum-Country". Bangladesh (East Bengal) is a "State-cum-Country", Nepal is also a "State-cum-Country", Sri Lanka is also a "State-cum-Country".
Maharashtra is a "State-only", not a "State-cum-Country", Tamil Nadu is also a "State-only", not a "State-cum-Country", West Bengal is also a "State-only", not a "State-cum-Country".
India's South India: India's Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Telangana, Andhra Pradesh and Kerala
Hindu Belt: India (Indian Union) and Nepal
Bengali Belt: Bangladesh (East Bengal), West Bengal and Tripura
Hindustani (Hindi-Urdu) Belt: Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Delhi, Haryana, Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, Jammu & Kashmir, Uttarakhand and Himachal Pradesh
Islamic Belt: Bangladesh (East Bengal), Pakistan (Pakistani Union), Afghanistan and Maldives
Punjabi Belt: Pakistan's Punjab (West Punjab) and India's Punjab (East Punjab)
Buddhist Belt: Myanmar (Burma), Sri Lanka and Bhutan
Continents, Unions, Countries, Belts, Regions, States and Cities by Nominal GDP Per Capita (2023–2024) and Nominal GDP (2023-2024)
| Rank | Union/Belt/Region/State/City | Real Economy (Nominal GDP Per Capita) | Nominal Economy (Nominal GDP) | Population (2021) | Language |
| 1 | United States of America's New York (NY) | $1,00,000 (720%) | $2.3 Trillion | 2.3 crore | English |
| 2 | United States of America (USA) | $84,800 (610%) | $28 Trillion (25%) | 33 crore (4%) | English |
| 3 | English Belt (Anglosphere) | $77,400 (560%) | $36 Trillion (33%) | 46.5 crore (6%) | English |
| 4 | Europe's Germany | $55,200 | $4.7 Trillion | 8.5 crore | German |
| 5 | United Kingdom (England) | $53,700 | $3.6 Trillion | 6.7 crore | English |
| 6 | Europe's France | $47,700 | $3.2 Trillion | 6.7 crore | French |
| 7 | Europe (European Union) | $44,400 (320%) | $20 Trillion (18%) | 45 crore (5.5%) | English |
| 8 | Japan | $33,000 | $4.3 Trillion | 13 crore | Japanese |
| 9 | Saudi Arabia | $30,500 | $1.1 Trillion | 3.6 crore | Arabic |
| 10 | India's Delhi (National Capital Territory) | $14,000 (520%) | $294 Billion | 2.1 crore | Hindi |
| 11 | World | $13,900 (100%) | $110 Trillion (100%) | 790 crore (100%) | English |
| 12 | China | $13,400 (96%) | $19 Trillion (17%) | 141 crore (18%) | Chinese |
| 13 | Russia | $12,600 | $1.9 Trillion | 15 crore | Russian |
| 14 | Maharashtra's Mumbai (Bombay) | $12,300 (450%) | $320 Billion | 2.6 crore | Marathi |
| 15 | Non-English Belt (Non-Anglosphere) | $9,900 (71%) | $74 Trillion (67%) | 743.5 crore (94%) | English |
| 16 | Tamil Nadu's Chennai (Madras) | $9,000 | $100 Billion | 1.1 crore | Tamil |
| 17 | Asia | $8,900 (64%) | $43 Trillion (39%) | 480 crore (60%) | English |
| 18 | Karnataka's Bengaluru (Bangalore) | $8,300 | $100 Billion | 1.2 crore | Kannada |
| 19 | Telangana's Hyderabad | $8,000 | $80 Billion | 1 crore | Telugu |
| 20 | Bangladesh's Dhaka (Dacca) | $7,800 | $180 Billion | 2.3 crore | Bengali |
| 21 | Arabic Belt (Arabia) | $7,400 | $3.5 Trillion | 47 crore | Arabic |
| 22 | West Bengal's Kolkata (Calcutta) | $6,800 | $110 Billion | 1.6 crore | Bengali |
| 23 | India's Gujarat | $4,900 | $320 Billion | 6.5 crore | Gujarati |
| 24 | India's Haryana | $4,600 | $140 Billion | 3 crore | Hindi |
| 25 | India's Karnataka | $4,500 | $320 Billion | 7 crore | Kannada |
| 26 | India's Telangana | $4,500 | $180 Billion | 4 crore | Telugu |
| 27 | India's Dravidian Belt | $4,200 (155%) | $1.2 Trillion (30%) | 28.5 crore (20%) | English |
| 28 | India's Tamil Nadu | $4,200 | $360 Billion | 8.5 crore | Tamil |
| 29 | India's Kerala | $4,200 | $150 Billion | 3.5 crore | Malayalam |
| 30 | India's Maharashtra | $4,000 (145%) | $520 Billion (13%) | 13 crore (9%) | Marathi |
| 31 | Sindh's Karachi | $3,900 | $90 Billion | 2.3 crore | Sindhi |
| 32 | India's Non-Hindustani (Non Hindi-Urdu) Belt | $3,600 (130%) | $2.6 Trillion (67%) | 71.5 crore (51%) | English |
| 33 | India's Andhra Pradesh | $3,200 | $180 Billion | 5.5 crore | Telugu |
| 34 | Sri Lanka | $3,100 | $70 Billion | 2.2 crore | Sinhala |
| 35 | Africa | $3,000 | $3 Trillion | 100 crore | English |
| 36 | India's Punjab (East Punjab) | $3,000 | $90 Billion | 3 crore | Punjabi |
| 37 | India (Indian Union) | $2,700 (100%) | $3.9 Trillion (100%) | 141 crore (100%) | English |
| 38 | Bangladesh (East Bengal) | $2,700 | $460 Billion | 17 crore | Bengali |
| 39 | Bengali Belt (Bengal) | $2,500 | $710 Billion | 27.5 crore | Bengali |
| 40 | India's Rajasthan | $2,500 | $200 Billion | 8 crore | Hindi |
| 41 | India's West Bengal | $2,400 | $240 Billion | 10 crore | Bengali |
| 42 | India's Odisha | $2,300 | $110 Billion | 4.7 crore | Odia |
| 43 | India's Madhya Pradesh | $2,100 | $180 Billion | 8.5 crore | Hindi |
| 44 | India's Assam | $2,000 | $70 Billion | 3.5 crore | Assamese |
| 45 | India's Chhattisgarh | $2,000 | $60 Billion | 3 crore | Hindi |
| 46 | Punjabi Belt (Punjab) | $1,900 | $290 Billion | 15 crore | Punjabi |
| 47 | India's Hindustani (Hindi-Urdu) Belt | $1,800 (66%) | $1.3 Trillion (33%) | 69.5 crore (49%) | Hindi |
| 48 | Pakistan's Punjab (West Punjab) | $1,600 | $200 Billion | 12 crore | Punjabi |
| 49 | Pakistan's Sindh | $1,600 | $100 Billion | 6 crore | Sindhi |
| 50 | Pakistan (Pakistani Union) | $1,400 | $350 Billion | 24 crore | Urdu |
| 51 | Myanmar | $1,400 | $80 Billion | 5.5 crore | Burmese |
| 52 | Nepal | $1,300 | $40 Billion | 3 crore | Nepali |
| 53 | India's Uttar Pradesh | $1,200 | $310 Billion | 24 crore | Hindi |
| 54 | India's Jharkhand | $1,200 | $50 Billion | 4 crore | Hindi |
| 55 | India's Bihar | $840 | $110 Billion | 13 crore | Hindi |
| 56 | Afghanistan | $370 | $15 Billion | 4 crore | Pashtun |
| Country | GDP | GDP | GDP | GDP | GDP | Inflation (2022) | HDI | HDI |
| Country | Nominal GDP (in millions) (2022) (%Share) | GDP per capita (2022) | GDP (PPP) (in millions) (2022) (%Share) | GDP (PPP) per capita (2022) | GDP growth (2022) | Inflation (2022) | HDI (Rank) (2022) | Inequality-adjusted HDI (Rank) (2022) |
| Afghanistan | $20,136 (2020) | $611 (2020) | $80,912 (2020) | $2,456 (2020) | -2.4% (2020) | 5.6% (2020) | 0.462(182nd) (low) | 0.300(154th)(low) |
| Bangladesh | $460,751 (10.41%) | $2,734 | $1,345,646 (8.97%) | $7,985 | 7.2% | 6.1% | 0.670(129th) (medium) | 0.470(112th) (low) |
| Bhutan | $2,707 (0.06%) | $3,562 | $9,937 (0.07%) | $13,077 | 4.0% | 7.7% | 0.681(125th) (medium) | 0.465(114th) (low) |
| India | $3,468,566 (78.35%) | $2,466 | $11,665,490 (77.74%) | $8,293 | 6.8% | 6.9% | 0.644(134th) (medium) | 0.444(118th) (low) |
| Maldives | $5,900 (0.13%) | $15,097 | $12,071 (0.08%) | $30,888 | 8.7% | 4.3% | 0.762(87th) (high) | 0.597(86th) (medium) |
| Nepal | $39,028 (0.88%) | $1,293 | $141,161 (0.94%) | $4,677 | 4.2% | 6.3% | 0.601(146th) (medium) | 0.424(121st) (low) |
| Pakistan | $376,493 (8.50%) | $1,658 | $1,512,476 (10.08%) | $6,662 | 6.0% | 12.10% | 0.540(164th) (low) | 0.360(134th) (low) |
| Sri Lanka | $73,739 (1.67%) | $3,293 | $318,690 (2.12%) | $14,230 | -8.7% | 48.2% | 0.780(78th) (high) | 0.630(75th) (medium) |
| South Asia | $4,427,184 (100%) | $2,385 | $15,005,471 (100%) | $8,085 | 6.4% | 8.1% | 0.641 (medium) | - |
Economy (2023-2024) of India (Indian Union) and its Neighboring Countries
| Rank | Country/Union/Region/State/City | Real Economy (Nominal GDP Per Capita) | Nominal Economy (Nominal GDP) | Population (2021) | Language | Language Family |
| 1 | China's Hong Kong | $54,600 | $410 Billion | 75 lakh | Chinese | Sino-Tibetan |
| 2 | China's Beijing | $30,000 | $660 Billion | 2.2 crore | Chinese | Sino-Tibetan |
| 3 | China's Shanghai | $26,200 | $710 Billion | 2.7 crore | Chinese | Sino-Tibetan |
| 4 | China | $13,400 | $19 Trillion | 141 crore | Chinese | Sino-Tibetan |
| 5 | Maharashtra's Mumbai (Bombay) | $12,300 (450%) | $320 Billion | 2.6 crore | Marathi | Indo-European |
| 6 | Tamil Nadu's Chennai (Madras) | $9,000 | $100 Billion | 1.1 crore | Tamil | Dravidian |
| 7 | Karnataka's Bengaluru (Bangalore) | $8,300 | $100 Billion | 1.2 crore | Kannada | Dravidian |
| 8 | Telangana's Hyderabad | $8,000 | $80 Billion | 1 crore | Telugu | Dravidian |
| 9 | Bangladesh's Dhaka (Dacca) | $7,800 | $180 Billion | 2.3 crore | Bengali | Indo-European |
| 10 | India's Delhi (National Capital Territory) | $7,100 | $150 Billion | 2.1 crore | Hindi (Hindustani) | Indo-European |
| 11 | West Bengal's Kolkata (Calcutta) | $6,800 | $110 Billion | 1.6 crore | Bengali | Indo-European |
| 12 | India's Gujarat | $4,900 | $320 Billion | 6.5 crore | Gujarati | Indo-European |
| 13 | India's Haryana | $4,600 | $140 Billion | 3 crore | Hindi (Hindustani) | Indo-European |
| 14 | India's Karnataka | $4,500 | $320 Billion | 7 crore | Kannada | Dravidian |
| 15 | India's Telangana | $4,500 | $180 Billion | 4 crore | Telugu | Dravidian |
| 16 | India's South India | $4,200 (155%) | $1.2 Trillion (30%) | 28.5 crore (20%) | English | Indo-European |
| 17 | India's Tamil Nadu | $4,200 | $360 Billion | 8.5 crore | Tamil | Dravidian |
| 18 | India's Kerala | $4,200 | $150 Billion | 3.5 crore | Malayalam | Dravidian |
| 19 | India's Maharashtra | $4,000 (145%) | $520 Billion (13%) | 13 crore (9%) | Marathi | Indo-European |
| 20 | Sindh's Karachi | $3,900 | $90 Billion | 2.3 crore | Sindhi | Indo-European |
| 21 | India's Uttarakhand | $3,300 | $40 Billion | 1.2 crore | Hindi (Hindustani) | Indo-European |
| 22 | India's Andhra Pradesh | $3,200 | $180 Billion | 5.5 crore | Telugu | Dravidian |
| 23 | Sri Lanka | $3,100 | $70 Billion | 2.2 crore | Sinhala | Indo-European |
| 24 | India's Punjab (East Punjab) | $3,000 | $90 Billion | 3 crore | Punjabi | Indo-European |
| 25 | India (Indian Union) | $2,700 (100%) | $3.9 Trillion (100%) | 141 crore (100%) | English | Indo-European |
| 26 | Bangladesh (East Bengal or East Pakistan) | $2,700 | $460 Billion | 17 crore | Bengali | Indo-European |
| 27 | India's Rajasthan | $2,500 | $200 Billion | 8 crore | Hindi (Hindustani) | Indo-European |
| 28 | India's North India | $2,400 (90%) | $2.7 Trillion (70%) | 112.5 crore (80%) | English | Indo-European |
| 29 | India's West Bengal | $2,400 | $240 Billion | 10 crore | Bengali | Indo-European |
| 30 | India's Odisha | $2,300 | $110 Billion | 4.7 crore | Odia | Indo-European |
| 31 | India's Madhya Pradesh | $2,100 | $180 Billion | 8.5 crore | Hindi (Hindustani) | Indo-European |
| 32 | India's Assam | $2,000 | $70 Billion | 3.5 crore | Assamese | Indo-European |
| 33 | India's Chhattisgarh | $2,000 | $60 Billion | 3 crore | Hindi (Hindustani) | Indo-European |
| 34 | India's Jammu & Kashmir | $2,000 | $30 Billion | 1.5 crore | Urdu (Hindustani) | Indo-European |
| 35 | Pakistan's Punjab (West Punjab) | $1,600 | $200 Billion | 12 crore | Punjabi | Indo-European |
| 36 | Pakistan's Sindh | $1,600 | $100 Billion | 6 crore | Sindhi | Indo-European |
| 37 | Pakistan (Pakistani Union or West Pakistan) | $1,400 | $350 Billion | 24 crore | Urdu (Hindustani) | Indo-European |
| 38 | Myanmar (Burma) | $1,400 | $80 Billion | 5.5 crore | Burmese | Sino-Tibetan |
| 39 | Nepal | $1,300 | $40 Billion | 3 crore | Nepali | Indo-European |
| 40 | India's Uttar Pradesh | $1,200 | $310 Billion | 24 crore | Hindi (Hindustani) | Indo-European |
| 41 | India's Jharkhand | $1,200 | $50 Billion | 4 crore | Hindi (Hindustani) | Indo-European |
| 42 | Pakistan's Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (Afghan Pradesh) | $870 | $35 Billion | 4 crore | Pashtun | Indo-European |
| 43 | India's Bihar | $840 | $110 Billion | 13 crore | Hindi (Hindustani) | Indo-European |
| 44 | Afghanistan | $370 | $15 Billion | 4 crore | Pashtun | Indo-European |

### Poverty

Poverty rates vary greatly throughout the region, with a majority of Afghanistan relying on humanitarian aid, and 40% of Sri Lankans slipping into poverty due to the economic crisis that started in 2019.
| Country | Population below poverty line (at $1.9/day) | Population below poverty line (at $1.9/day) | Population below poverty line (at $1.9/day) | Population below poverty line (at $1.9/day) | Global Hunger Index (2021) | Population under-nourished (2015) | Life expectancy (2019) (global rank) | Global wealth report (2019) | Global wealth report (2019) | Global wealth report (2019) |
| Country | World Bank (year) | 2022 Multidimensional Poverty Index Report (MPI source year) | Population in Extreme poverty (2022) | CIA Factbook (2015) | Global Hunger Index (2021) | Population under-nourished (2015) | Life expectancy (2019) (global rank) | Total national wealth in billion USD (global rank) | Wealth per adult in USD | Median wealth per adult in USD (global rank) |
| Afghanistan | 54.5% (2016) | 55.91% (2015–16) | 18% | 36% | 28.3 (103rd) | 26.8% | 63.2 (160th) | 25 (116th) | 1,463 | 640 (156th) |
| Bangladesh | 24.3% (2016) | 24.64% (2019) | 4% | 31.5% | 19.1 (76th) | 16.4% | 74.3 (82nd) | 697 (44th) | 6,643 | 2,787 (117th) |
| Bhutan | 8.2% (2017) | 37.34% (2010) | 4% | 12% | No data | No data | 73.1 (99th) | No Data | No Data | No Data |
| India | 21.9% (2011) | 14.9% (2019–21) | 0.9% | 29.8% | 27.5 (101st) | 15.2% | 70.8 (117th) | 12,614 (7th) | 14,569 | 3,042 (115th) |
| Maldives | 8.2% (2016) | 0.77% (2016–17) | 4% | 16% | No data | 5.2% | 79.6 (33rd) | 7 (142nd) | 23,297 | 8,555 (74th) |
| Nepal | 25.2% (2010) | 17.50% (2019) | 8% | 25.2% | 19.1 (76th) | 7.8% | 70.9 (116th) | 68 (94th) | 3,870 | 1,510 (136th) |
| Pakistan | 24.3% (2015) | 38.33% (2017–18) | 5% | 12.4% | 24.7 (94th) | 22% | 69.3 (144th) | 465 (49th) | 4,096 | 1,766 (128th) |
| Sri Lanka | 4.1% (2016) | 2.92% (2016) | 5% | 8.9% | 16 (65th) | 22% | 76.9 (54th) | 297 (60th) | 20,628 | 8,283 (77th) |

### India

The economy of India is a developing mixed economy with a notable public sector in strategic sectors. It is the world's fifth-largest economy by nominal GDP and the third-largest by purchasing power parity (PPP); on a per capita income basis, India ranked 141th by GDP (nominal) and 119th by GDP (PPP). From independence in 1947 until 1991, successive governments followed the Soviet model and promoted protectionist economic policies, with extensive Sovietization, state intervention, demand-side economics, natural resources, bureaucrat-driven enterprises and economic regulation. This is characterised as dirigism, in the form of the Licence Raj. The end of the Cold War and an acute balance of payments crisis in 1991 led to the adoption of a broad economic liberalisation in India and indicative planning. India has about 1,900 public sector companies, with the Indian state having complete control and ownership of railways and highways. The Indian government has major control over banking, insurance, farming, fertilizers and chemicals, airports, defense, essential utilities, and the energy sector. The state also exerts substantial control over digitalization, broadband as national infrastructure, telecommunication, supercomputing, space, port and shipping industries, which were effectively nationalised in the mid-1950s but has seen the emergence of key corporate players.
Nearly 70% of India's GDP is driven by domestic consumption; country remains the world's fourth-largest consumer market. Aside private consumption, India's GDP is also fueled by government spending, investments, and exports. In 2022, India was the world's 10th-largest importer and the 8th-largest exporter. India has been a member of the World Trade Organization since 1 January 1995. It ranks 63rd on the ease of doing business index and 40th on the Global Competitiveness Index. India has one of the world's highest number of billionaires along with extreme income inequality. Economists and social scientists often consider India a welfare state. India is officially declared a socialist state as per the constitution. India's overall social welfare spending stood at 8.6% of GDP in 2021-22, which is much lower than the average for OECD nations. With 586 million workers, the Indian labour force is the world's second-largest. Despite having one of the longest working hours, India has one of the lowest workforce productivity levels in the world. Economists say that due to structural economic problems, India is experiencing jobless economic growth.
During the Great Recession, the economy faced a mild slowdown. India endorsed Keynesian policy and initiated stimulus measures (both fiscal and monetary) to boost growth and generate demand. In subsequent years, economic growth revived.
In 2021–22, the foreign direct investment (FDI) in India was $82 billion. The leading sectors for FDI inflows were the Finance, Banking, Insurance and R&D. India has free trade agreements with several nations and blocs, including ASEAN, SAFTA, Mercosur, South Korea, Japan, Australia, the United Arab Emirates, and several others which are in effect or under negotiating stage. In recent years, independent economists and financial institutions have accused the government of manipulating various economic data, especially GDP growth rate.

### Bangladesh

The economy of Bangladesh is a major developing mixed economy. As the second-largest economy in South Asia, Bangladesh's economy is the 35th largest in the world in nominal terms, and 25th largest by purchasing power parity. Bangladesh is seen by various financial institutions as one of the Next Eleven. It has been transitioning from being a frontier market into an emerging market. Bangladesh is a member of the South Asian Free Trade Area and the World Trade Organization. In fiscal year 2021–2022, Bangladesh registered a GDP growth rate of 7.2% after the global pandemic. Bangladesh is one of the fastest growing economies in the world.
Industrialisation in Bangladesh received a strong impetus after the partition of India due to labour reforms and new industries. Between 1947 and 1971, East Bengal generated between 70% and 50% of Pakistan's exports. Modern Bangladesh embarked on economic reforms in the late 1970s which promoted free markets and foreign direct investment. By the 1990s, the country had a booming ready-made garments industry. As of 16 March 2024, Bangladesh has the highest number of green garment factories in the world with Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certification from the United States Green Building Council (USGBC), where 80 are platinum-rated, 119 are gold-rated, 10 are silver, and four are without any rating. As of 6 March 2024, Bangladesh is home to 54 of the top 100 LEED Green Garment Factories globally, including 9 out of the top 10, and 18 out of the top 20. As of 27 April 2024, Bangladesh has a growing pharmaceutical industry with 12 percent average annual growth rate. Bangladesh is the only nation among the 48 least-developed countries that is almost self-sufficient when it comes to medicine production as local companies meet 98 percent of the domestic demand for pharmaceuticals. Remittances from the large Bangladeshi diaspora became a vital source of foreign exchange reserves. Agriculture in Bangladesh is supported by government subsidies and ensures self-sufficiency in food production. Bangladesh has pursued export-oriented industrialisation.

### Pakistan

The economy of Pakistan is categorized as a developing economy. It ranks as the 24th-largest based on GDP using purchasing power parity (PPP) and the 43rd largest in terms of nominal GDP. With a population of 254.4 million people as of 2024, Pakistan's position at per capita income ranks 161st by GDP (nominal) and 138th by GDP (PPP) according to the International Monetary Fund (IMF).
In its early years, Pakistan's economy relied heavily on private industries. The nationalization of a significant portion of the sector, including financial services, manufacturing, and transportation, began in the early 1970s under Zulfikar Ali Bhutto. During Zia-ul Haq's regime in the 1980s, an "Islamic" economy was adopted, outlawing economic practices forbidden in Sharīʿah and mandating traditional religious practices. The economy started privatizing again in the 1990s.
The economic growth centers in Pakistan are located along the Indus River; these include the diversified economies of Karachi and major urban centers in Punjab (such as Faisalabad, Lahore, Sialkot, Rawalpindi, and Gujranwala), alongside less developed areas in other parts of the country. In recent decades, regional connectivity initiatives such as the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) have emerged as pivotal contributors to infrastructure and energy development, with long-term implications for economic stability. Pakistan was classified as a semi-industrial economy for the first time in the late 1990s, albeit an underdeveloped country with a heavy dependence on agriculture, particularly the textile industry relying on cotton production. Primary export commodities include textiles, leather goods, sports equipment, chemicals, and carpets/rugs.

### Afghanistan

The economy of Afghanistan is listed as the 124th largest in the world in terms of nominal gross domestic product (GDP), and 102nd largest in the world in terms of purchasing power parity (PPP). With a population of around 41 million people, Afghanistan's GDP (nominal) stands at $14.58 billion as of 2021, amounting to a GDP per capita of $363.7 (according to a World Bank report). Its annual exports exceed $2 billion, with agricultural, mineral and textile products accounting for 94% of total exports. The nation's total external debt is $1.4 billion as of 2022.
The Afghan economy continues to improve due to the influx of expats, establishment of more trade routes with neighboring and regional countries, and expansion of the nation's agriculture, energy and mining sectors. The billions of dollars in assistance that came from expats and the international community saw this increase when there was more political reliability after NATO became involved in Afghanistan.
Despite holding over one trillion dollars in proven untapped mineral deposits, Afghanistan remains one of the least developed countries in the world. Its unemployment rate is over 23% and about half of its population lives below the poverty line. The main factor behind this has been the continuous war in the country, which deterred business investors and left much of the population fighting among each other instead of catching up with the rest of the world. Afghanistan has long sought foreign investment in order to improve its economy. The population of Afghanistan increased by more than 50% between 2001 and 2014, while its GDP grew eightfold. After the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan and the Taliban's return to power in 2021, the Biden administration decided to confiscate or withhold $9.5 billion worth of assets from the Afghanistan Central Bank to stop the Taliban from accessing it.

### Bhutan

The economy of Bhutan is based on agriculture and forestry, which provide the main livelihood for more than 60% of the population. Agriculture consists largely of subsistence farming and animal husbandry. Rugged mountains dominate the terrain and make the building of roads and other infrastructure difficult. Bhutan is among the richest by gross domestic product (nominal) per capita in South Asia, at $3,491 as of 2022, but it still places 153rd, and among the poorest in the world. The total gross domestic product is only $2,898 billion, and 178th according to IMF.
Bhutan's economy is closely aligned with India's through strong trade and monetary links and dependence on India's financial assistance. Most production in the industrial sector is of the cottage industry type. Most development projects, such as road construction, rely on Indian migrant labour. Model education, social, and environment programs are underway with support from multilateral development organisations.
Each economic program takes into account the government's desire to protect the country's environment and cultural traditions. For example, the government, in its cautious expansion of the tourist sector, encourages visits by upscale, environmentally conscientious tourists. Detailed controls and uncertain policies in areas such as industrial licensing, trade, labour, and finance continue to hamper foreign investment. Hydropower exports to India have boosted Bhutan's overall growth, even though GDP fell in 2008 as a result of a slowdown in India, its predominant export market.
Since 1961, the government of Bhutan has guided the economy through five-year plans in order to promote economic development.

### Maldives

In ancient times, Maldives were renowned for cowries, coir rope, dried tuna fish (Maldive fish), ambergris (maavaharu) and coco de mer (tavakkaashi). Local and foreign trading ships used to load these products in the Maldives and bring them abroad.
Nowadays, the mixed economy of Maldives is based on the principal activities of tourism, fishing and shipping. This results from the Maldives' strategic geographic positioning near crucial sea routes essential for China's energy provisions. Consequently, China has persistently utilized its economic resources to enhance its sway over the Maldivian government.
Tourism is the largest industry in the Maldives, accounting for 28% of GDP and more than 60% of the Maldives' foreign exchange receipts. It powered the current GDP per capita to expand 265% in the 1980s and a further 115% in the 1990s. Over 90% of government tax revenue flows in from import duties and tourism-related taxes.
Fishing is the second leading sector in the Maldives. The economic reform program by the government in 1989 lifted import quotas and opened some exports to the private sector. Subsequently, it has liberalized regulations to allow more foreign investment.
Agriculture and manufacturing play a minor role in the economy, constrained by the limited availability of cultivable land and shortage of domestic labour. Most staple foods are imported.
Industry in the Maldives consists mainly of garment production, boat building, and handicrafts. It accounts for around 18% of GDP. Maldivian authorities are concerned about the impact of erosion and possible global warming in the low-lying country.
Among the 1,190 islands in the Maldives, only 198 are inhabited. The population is scattered throughout the country, and the greatest concentration is on the capital island, Malé. Limitations on potable water and arable land, plus the added difficulty of congestion are some of the problems faced by households in Malé.

### Nepal

The economy of Nepal is a developing category and is largely dependent on agriculture and remittances. Until the mid-20th century Nepal was an isolated pre-industrial society, which entered the modern era in 1951 without schools, hospitals, roads, telecommunications, electric power, industry, or civil service. The country has, however, made progress toward sustainable economic growth since the 1950s. The country was opened to economic liberalization, leading to economic growth and improvement in living standards when compared to the past. The biggest challenges faced by the country in achieving higher economic development are the frequent changes in political leadership, as well as corruption.
Nepal has used a series of five-year plans in an attempt to make progress in economic development. It completed its ninth economic development plan in 2002; its currency has been made convertible, and 17 state enterprises have been privatised. Foreign aid to Nepal accounts for more than half of the development budget. Government priorities over the years have been result in the development of transportation and communication facilities, agriculture, and industry. Since 1975, improved government administration and rural development efforts have been emphasised.
Agriculture remains Nepal's principal economic activity, employing about 65% of the population and providing 31.7% of GDP. Only about 20% of the total area is cultivable; another 40.7% is forested (i.e., covered by shrubs, pastureland and forest); most of the rest is mountainous. Fruits and vegetables (apples, pears, tomatoes, various salad greens, peach, nectarine, potatoes), as well as rice and wheat are the main food crops. The lowland Terai region produces an agricultural surplus, part of which supplies the food-deficient hill areas.
GDP is heavily dependent on remittances (9.1%) of foreign workers. Subsequently, economic development in social services and infrastructure in Nepal has not made dramatic progress. A countrywide primary education system is under development, and Tribhuvan University has several campuses under it . Although eradication efforts continue, malaria had been controlled in the fertile but previously uninhabitable Terai region in the south. Kathmandu is linked to India and nearby hill regions by road and an expanding highway network. The capital was almost out of fuel and supplies, due to a crippling general strike in southern Nepal on 17 February 2008.

### Sri Lanka

The mixed economy of Sri Lanka was worth 27.60 LKR trillion ($84 billion) by gross domestic product (GDP) in 2023 and $318 billion by purchasing power parity (PPP). The country had experienced an annual growth of 6.4 percent from 2003 to 2012, well above its regional peers. This growth was driven by the growth of non-tradable sectors, which the World Bank warned to be both unsustainable and inequitable. Growth has slowed since then. In 2022, Sri Lanka faced a severe economic crisis, characterized by high inflation, and political instability. However, the country stabilized faster than expected in 2023 due to key economic reforms and fiscal discipline. By 2024, Sri Lanka re-entered the path of economic growth, with a renewed focus on sustainable development.
Sri Lanka has met the Millennium Development Goal (MDG) target of halving extreme poverty and is on track to meet most of the other MDGs, outperforming other South Asian countries. Sri Lanka's poverty headcount index was 4.1% by 2016. Since the end of the three-decade-long Sri Lankan Civil War, Sri Lanka has begun focusing on long-term strategic and structural development challenges and has financed several infrastructure projects.

## International Economic Reports on South Asia

In the South Asia Development Update for April 2024, the World Bank reports that South Asia is projected to sustain its position as a leading growth region among emerging markets, largely propelled by India's robust economic performance. Nonetheless, the region's dependency on the public sector for economic progress, combined with a lag in private investment and the presence of macroeconomic challenges such as high levels of debt and fiscal deficits, poses risks to its stability and growth. These factors may impede the region's capacity to effectively address climate-related issues and to make the most of the demographic dividend offered by its young population. The World Bank emphasizes the critical need for policy reforms aimed at stimulating job creation, particularly for women and in non-agricultural sectors, and for fostering private sector development to ensure continued economic growth and to leverage the demographic dividend. The update highlights that strategic responses to climate change and a focus on creating a resilient job market are indispensable for maintaining the momentum of South Asia's development trajectory.