Executives and managers hear or read headlines about recent economic data nearly every business day. Most important economic statistics are the products of programs designed to collect and analyze data to report summary results at regular intervals. Properly interpreted, these economic indicators provide useful barometers for different aspects of the economy and identify trends that aid better planning decisions. Economic indicators are available...

Asia and the Pacific accounted for 40.9% of global GDP in 2016, up from 29.4% in 2000. The People's Republic of China, India, and Japan accounted for about 70% of the region's total output in 2016.