Country Insights Update
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April 23, 2024
April 22, 2024
April 19, 2024
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November 30, 2023
2023 Q3 Shadow Credit Ratings to download in Excel
November 30, 2023 11:18 AM UTC
We produce Shadow Credit Ratings for 162 countries, comparable to official credit rating agencies.
The ratings are based on our Country Strength Index, which is our most comprehensive assessment across our full range of Country Insights data. The ratings are consistent with our 2023-Q3 Country Insigh
October 23, 2023
Asia and Elections: Country Risk
October 23, 2023 7:29 AM UTC
Asia Regional Overview
India continues to be an investor haven supported by strong economic growth and stable policy guidance. The political environment is heating up in India as well, as the country prepares for regional elections in five states in end-2023 and then for the larger general elections
October 20, 2023
Asia Country Risk Ratings
October 20, 2023 3:21 PM UTC
Cambodia
Cambodia’s overall risk level remains medium high. Samdech Hun Sen remains the prime minister of the country and leader of Cambodia’s People Party (CPP) and has been since 1985. Hun Sen won the 2023 election with a 76.85%, winning 120 out of the 125 seats. The leader of the Cambodia Nati
Middle East and North Africa: Country Risk Ratings
October 20, 2023 3:18 PM UTC
Algeria
Algeria’s overall risk remains medium high. Since Abdelmadjid Tebboune assumed office in December 2019, a series of popular policies have been implemented, contributing to an enhancement of government and political stability. Notwithstanding, a number of challenges persist, making political
Middle East and North Africa: Country Risk Grows
October 20, 2023 8:49 AM UTC
It is also feasible that Hezbollah in South Lebanon could be drawn into the conflict depending on how the situation in Gaza and Israel develops. Israel is also likely to retaliate against Iran at a later date, due to intense political pressures in Israel. This is most probably to involve attacks o
October 19, 2023
EM Europe/CIS: Country Risk Ratings
October 19, 2023 10:33 AM UTC
Armenia
Armenia’s overall risk level remains medium high. Vahagn Khachaturyan continues to be the president of Armenia after being in elected in March 2022, after the resignation of his predecessor. Political violence remains medium high and political interference and legal & regulatory risk at a m
Africa: Country Risk Ratings
October 19, 2023 9:19 AM UTC
Angola
Angola’s overall risk has decreased to a medium high level. In 2022 Lourenco was re-elected, after the previous presidency of Jose dos Santos that had lasted 38 years up to 2017. The new government has tried to increase investment from abroad through various policies, such as fiscal consolid
Eastern Europe and CIS: Country Risk
October 19, 2023 9:02 AM UTC
Eastern Europe and CIS Regional Overview
The main issue across the Eastern Europe and CIS region is still the Russia - Ukraine war, which remains deadlocked. Taking into account that the winter is arriving (as Russia prefers to keep low level activity during the winter time), in addition to Russia’
October 18, 2023
Latin and Central America: Country Risk
October 18, 2023 9:23 AM UTC
Latin and Central America Regional Overview
During the last quarter, Brazil experienced a period of relative stability with no major significant events. President Lula has maintained his position of authority, while the opposition forces remain comparatively subdued. Some changes in the cabinet were
October 17, 2023
Sub Sahara Africa: Country Risk
October 17, 2023 2:19 PM UTC
South Africa economic problems remain acute with large power cuts during the winter season and the logistic and transport crisis restraining production and exports. The government is trying to make progress on both fronts, but progress remains slow. Though the G7 and China has separately offered hel
August 29, 2023
2023 Q2 Shadow Credit Ratings to download in Excel
August 29, 2023 4:26 PM UTC
We produce Shadow Credit Ratings for 162 countries, comparable to official credit rating agencies.
The ratings are based on our Country Strength Index, which is our most comprehensive assessment across our full range of Country Insights data. The ratings are consistent with our 2023 Q2 Country Insigh
July 21, 2023
Asia: Election Fever and High Inflation Impact
July 21, 2023 7:26 AM UTC
Alongside India, its neighbor Pakistan’s elections are due in October, which will likely stoke violence there. Indonesia too is gearing up for elections in early 2024 and the political landscape there is also tense. In the past quarter, political risks were elevated in Asia given unpopular policie
Asia Country Risk Ratings
July 21, 2023 7:15 AM UTC
Afghanistan
Afghanistan has a very-high overall risk. The Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan (ruling political entity) is under the leadership of the Taliban, a predominantly Pashtun, and Islamic fundamentalist political movement. The presence of ethnic fragmentation, Islamic terrorist movement and human
July 20, 2023
Africa: Politics and Reform
July 20, 2023 1:02 PM UTC
South Africa remains in the spotlight, both due to problems relating to the Ukraine war and also the approaching 2024 general election (scheduled between May and August). The government is investigating U.S. claims that arms were shipped to Russia from a naval base, though the U.S. has downplayed th
Ukraine War Dominates the Region
July 20, 2023 7:31 AM UTC
Eastern Europe and CIS Regional Overview
In Russia, Wagner Group’s mutiny on June 23, which involved Wagner forces marching towards Moscow and taking control of military facilities in two Russian cities, tipped the scales and weakened President Putin’s authority. Despite Putin announcing on July
EM Europe/CIS Country Risk Ratings
July 20, 2023 7:29 AM UTC
Albania
Albania has a medium overall risk. Political leadership is stable in Albania, with the Socialist Party of Albania retaining election for the third consecutive term in April 2021. The government are expected to serve its term in its entirety, with the next election in 2025. However, high food
July 19, 2023
Middle East: Country Risk Ratings
July 19, 2023 2:15 PM UTC
Bahrain
Bahraini overall risk has fallen from medium-high to medium. Social unrest remains a challenge in Bahrain, due to its Shia Muslim population’s long-drawn discontent with the Sunni ruling Al Khalifa royal family. The Sunni ruling Al Khalifa royal family holds the main political and military
Latin and Central America: Political and Other Risks
July 19, 2023 7:20 AM UTC
Latin and Central America Regional Overview
In Brazil, a significant development unfolded recently with the disqualification of former President Jair Bolsonaro, making headlines across the country. The Superior Electoral Tribunal found him guilty of misusing official communication and engaging in ec
June 01, 2023
2023Q1 Investment Attractiveness Scores Reveal Struggles
June 1, 2023 3:30 PM UTC
Developed Markets: DM investment attractiveness scores have deteriorated over the past quarter. Looking forward, in some countries, one factor to consider is the government debt trajectory, which could trigger sovereign risk and long-term interest-rate risks. For example, France would be unable to
May 26, 2023
2023 Q1 Shadow Credit Ratings to download in Excel
May 26, 2023 3:23 PM UTC
We produce Shadow Credit Ratings for 162 countries, comparable to official credit rating agencies.
The ratings are based on our Country Strength Index, which is our most comprehensive assessment across our full range of Country Insights data. The ratings are consistent with our 2023 Q1 Country Insigh
2023 Q1 Country Insights Scores to download in Excel
May 26, 2023 3:21 PM UTC
These links provide access to our full range of scores across 174 countries.
The scores file allows for comparison with other periods and ranking for all countries across the headline indicators and are available as easily accessible time series. For more details see our methodology document.
April 14, 2023
MENA and The Iran/Saudi Arabia Agreement
April 14, 2023 7:43 AM UTC
Figure 1: Iran and Saudi Arabia GDP forecasts
Source: IMF
Foreign ministers have already meet in Beijing in early April and Iran’s President Raisi is planning a trip to Saudi Arabia. Saudi Arabia’s motivation is to promote regional peace, which in turn will help foreign funding to the vision 203