Digitalization can reduce persistent inequality in Asia and the Pacific, says ADB

0
7χλμ.

Digitalization can be a powerful tool to help reduce persistent economic inequality in Asia and the Pacific—but to harness its potential, governments need to narrow “digital gaps,” including gaps in infrastructure, access, and skills, according to a new report by the Asian Development Bank (ADB).

The bank said in a statement on Tuesday that although developing Asia and the Pacific has outpaced other regions in digital development in recent decades, the benefits haven’t been shared equally.

For instance, across the region the percentage of residents using the internet is 13 percentage points higher in urban areas than in rural areas, according to Asian Development Policy Report 2025: Harnessing Digital Transformation for Good released on Tuesday.

Mobile internet download speeds are also 38 percent faster in urban areas than in rural areas.

Previous studies have also found that many of Asia and the Pacific’s developing economies lag in terms of digital inclusion and have generally low digital skill levels.

At the same time, despite rapid development and growth, economic inequality persists in the region.

Developing Asia’s population-weighted average Gini coefficient—a measure of domestic inequality — was 6 percent higher in 2022 than in 1990.

As of last year, 18.9 percent of the region’s population was classified as poor, defined as living on less than $3.65 a day.

“Developing Asia and the Pacific’s rapid digital transformation puts the region in a position to reap significant benefits,

“Governments that promote inclusive, sustainable digitalization have an opportunity to not only boost overall productivity and innovation but also reduce economic inequality at the same time,” said ADB Chief Economist Albert Park.

According to ADB, digitalization can alleviate inequality by widening access to basic services such as personal finance and education, or by helping small business owners overcome barriers such as lack of access to financing or business networks.

Digital transformation can also help accelerate the shift to low-carbon development and make communities in the region more resilient to extreme weather and disasters, for example by supporting modeling and analytics to improve disaster risk management and forecast climate patterns to identify solutions such as climate-resistant crops.

The report recommends that governments in developing Asia and the Pacific adopt national digital strategies that integrate inclusion and sustainability objectives, and enact locally tailored policies that promote these objectives. Governments should also engage with the private sector, civil society organizations, and local and international communities.

ADB is a multilateral development bank supporting inclusive, resilient, and sustainable growth across Asia and the Pacific.

Working with its members and partners to solve complex challenges together, the bank harnesses innovative financial tools and strategic partnerships to transform lives, build quality infrastructure, and safeguard our planet.

Founded in 1966, it is owned by 69 members—50 from the region.

 

#DigitalInclusion #ReduceInequality #AsiaPacificGrowth #DigitalEquity #SustainableDevelopment

Προωθημένο
Αναζήτηση
Προωθημένο
Κατηγορίες
Διαβάζω περισσότερα
άλλο
VinFast officially launches VF 6 in Indonesia
Vietnamese electric vehicle (EV) carmaker VinFast announced Tuesday the official launch of the VF...
από Ifvex 2025-05-06 06:49:00 0 9χλμ.
Causes
Malakoff partners HICOM Automotive for solar project in Malaysia
Malaysia’s energy and environmental solutions firm Malakoff Corporation Berhad has...
από Ifvex 2025-05-29 08:05:27 0 8χλμ.
Παιχνίδια
Game studios turn to Unreal Engine 5 as proprietary tools fall from favor
Even top-tier studios are embracing third-party engines like Unreal Engine 5 to address the...
από Ifvex 2025-01-10 15:14:14 0 14χλμ.
Health
Using Gen AI in healthcare puts lives on the line – here’s how to mitigate this
As the use of Gen AI tools in the workplace continues to proliferate and starts becoming a staple...
από Ifvex 2025-02-10 17:17:38 0 12χλμ.
Causes
Brookfield, Solarvest partner to deliver 1.5+ GW of renewables in Malaysia
Brookfield, a global investment firm founded in Canada, has entered into a joint investment...
από Ifvex 2025-09-26 03:45:36 0 1χλμ.
Ifvex https://ifvex.com