Asia and the Far East

The post-war recovery of countries in Asia and the Far East has been much slower than in other war-devastated areas of the world. A somewhat higher rate of progress occurred in 1948 than in the previous year in some of the countries in the region, but production levels generally were far below those of pre-war years. Rice production in 1948 was within 5 per cent of the pre-war output, but was inadequate for the needs of the growing population. The region as a whole continued in 1948 to be a net importer of foodstuffs, though before the war it had been a net exporter. Notwithstanding substantial recovery in some countries during 1948, industrial activity was still depressed far below pre-war levels. As before the war, China, India and Japan accounted for the overwhelming majority of the region’s factory industries. In 1948, Indian industrial activity was about 16 per cent higher than in 1937, but this increase did not compensate for serious declines in China and Japan. In the latter country, for example, industrial production had reached less than 40 per cent of its pre-war level at the end of 1948.

Sustainable Development Goals:

Decent Work and Economic Growth

Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure

Climate Action