Sustainable trade
Sustainable Trade Index 2018
Published 26 June 2018
Our Sustainable Trade Index evaluates the readiness of 20 Indo-Pacific economies for sustainable trade. It was created to encourage meaningful discussions amongst policymakers and business executives about the linkages between trade and sustainability.
Special announcement: The Sustainable Trade Index 2020 was published on 27 October 2020. Our online launch event, co-organized with UNESCAP - ARTNet, examined the role of sustainable trade in building back better in a post-pandemic world. The event included discussants from the ILO, EIU, OECD Trade and ISEAS-Yusof Ishak Institute. Click here to watch a recording of the event.
About the Index
The Hinrich Foundation commissioned the Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU) in 2016 to develop a bi-annual Sustainable Trade Index (STI).
STI 2018, the second in the series, evaluates the readiness of 20 Indo-Pacific economies to trade in a manner that provides environmental and social benefits in addition to economic growth.
STI 2018 findings
The Sustainable Trade Index 2018 shows that bad policy choices are impeding Asian economies, particularly the richer ones, to participate sustainably in trade. This is a worrying trend that requires policy attention.
- As trade tensions are rising and protectionist forces are on the march, trade sustainability - and more particularly, the equitable distribution of trade benefits - have become essential considerations.
- The achievement of balanced economic, environmental and social outcomes through trade encourages global engagement and builds stronger economies.
- The lack of achievement, therefore, can hobble economic growth, heighten social tensions and strain international relations.
- On the positive side, some middle-income economies (in per capita terms) such as Sri Lanka, China and Vietnam have leapfrogged the richer ones on trade sustainability, and they are turning this into a competitive advantage.
Access the STI 2018 report and all related materials, including:
- Fact sheet
- Data workbook
- Infographics
- 20 country reports
The STI dataset
The detailed results for the 20 economies reviewed in the STI are presented in an excel format. Results can be compared accross economies, indicators and years.
Get access to the dataset and all STI 2018 materials here.
Country reports
The STI 2018 also includes an in-depth breakdown of a country's performance on the 2018 Index.
Access different country reports and all STI 2018 materials here.
| 1st |  |
Hong Kong | 11th |  |
India | ||
| 2nd |  |
S.Korea | 12th |  |
Malaysia | ||
| 3rd |  |
Singapore | 13th |  |
Thailand | ||
| 4th |  |
Japan | 14th |  |
Indonesia | ||
| 5th |  |
USA | 15th |  |
Brunei | ||
| 6th |  |
Taiwan | 16th |  |
Pakistan | ||
| 7th |  |
Sri Lanka | 17th |  |
Bangladesh | ||
| 8th |  |
China | 18th |  |
Laos | ||
| 9th |  |
Vietnam | 19th |  |
Cambodia | ||
| 10th |  |
Philippines | 20th |  |
Myanmar |
It is now abundantly clear that countries that fall short on trade sustainability face competitiveness, social and environmental issues. APAC economies are encouraged to use the index to benchmark their performance and view positive examples of trade policy.
***
The Sustainable Trade Index is currently in its third edition. You may access the first and third edition below:
© The Hinrich Foundation. See our website Terms and conditions for our copyright and reprint policy. All statements of fact and the views, conclusions and recommendations expressed in this publication are the sole responsibility of the author(s).
Highlight of related news
Vietnam Moves Up on the Sustainable Trade Index
Dezan Shira & Associates featured the Hinrich Foundation Sustainable Trade Index 2018 in its Vietnam Briefing report.
PH among ‘top performers’ in Asia on sustainable trade
Philippines shows major improvement, becomes ‘most educated population’ among all low income countries on the 2018 Hinrich Foundation Sustainable Trade Index.
Hong Kong takes top spot in 2018 Sustainable Trade Index
Feature on Hong Kong’s first place ranking and other key findings from the Hinrich Foundation Sustainable Trade Index 2018.
Asian trade bucks the protectionist trend – but struggles with sustainability
Coverage of key themes and top results from the Hinrich Foundation Sustainable Trade Index 2018.
Asia has “broadly regressed” on trade sustainability
The 2018 Hinrich Foundation Sustainable Trade Index is highlighted in article about trade sustainability in Asian economies.
Past events
