The Innovation Imperative for Developing East Asia

After a half century of significant economic success, countries in developing East Asia face an array of challenges. Slowing productivity growth, increasing fragility of the global trading system, and rapid changes in technology are threatening the region's engine of growth: export-oriented labor-intensive manufacturing. Longer-term demographic and climate change, and the current COVID-19 pandemic, are increasing economic vulnerability. These developments raise questions about whether the past model of economic success can continue to deliver rapid growth and poverty reduction. Against this background, To the Frontier and Beyond examines the role of innovation in fostering future economic progress in developing East Asia. The report suggests policy and institutional reforms for innovation-led growth in the region.