This study aims to evaluate the influence of population dependency ratio on the economic growth of Bangladesh, India, and Pakistan, the three members of the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC). The study covers the time from 1960 to 2021. It also analyses in detail how population aging and the youth dependency ratio affects the development of certain sectors, including industry, services and agriculture. This study uses panel data to determine the influence of population dependency ratios on economic growth. To estimate this effect, we use the Pooled Mean Group/Autoregressive Distributed Lag (PMG/ARDL) technique. Based on the results obtained from the ARDL analysis indicate the presence of a long-term relationship among these variables. These discoveries align with prior empirical research conducted by Lee and Shin, Mamun et al., and Rostiana and Rodesbi. Furthermore, the findings suggest that an increase in the old age population dependency ratio positively influences economic growth within these nations. The long-term relationship findings pertaining to the old and young dependency ratio and economic growth corroborate the conclusions of Bawazir et al., who proposed that the old population dependency ratio exerts a favorable impact, while the young population has an adverse effect on economic growth. Originality: This research focused on the population dependency ratio, a pivotal demographic metric that gauges the proportion of individuals relying on support (including children and the elderly) compared to those of working age. This investigation particularly explores the interconnection between the population dependency ratio and sectoral development, an essential aspect given that various sectors make distinct contributions to economic advancement. Examining how population dynamics affect sectoral development yields valuable insights into the overall economic performance of Pakistan, India, and Bangladesh.

It is increasingly obvious the huge improvement caused in loss of habitat and degradation in environment. Various nations are prone to natural disasters if this issue is not addressed. The development of finance has been hailed as significant in alleviating environmental concerns due to its part as a source of cash for the development of green technology. The primary goal of this research is to satisfy an acquaintance vacuum by investigating the relationship amongst economic growth and ESG (Environmental, Social and Governance) concert throughout Asia. This analysis made use of country-level data from 2010 to 2015. Economic growth is positively connected to ESG routine, due to examination upon the pooled normal least squares method, the immovable impact logistic method, these two-phase least squares technique, and the structure’s generalised approach of moments estimator. Additionally, additional tests including financial sector growth subcomponents (financial platforms and financial institutions) reveal that the conclusion is consistent and resilient under multiple model settings. Financial development, when combined, is an essential catalyst for promoting ESG performance in Asia.

This paper explores the interconnected dynamics between governance, public debt, and domestic investment (also known as gross fixed capital formation (GFCF) in South Africa). It also highlights domestic investment as a key driver of economic growth, noting a consistent decline in investment since the country’s democratic transition in 1994. Moreover, this downward trend is exacerbated by excessive public debt, poor governance, and increased economic risks, discouraging domestic and foreign investments. The analysis incorporates two theoretical perspectives: endogenous growth theory, which stresses the significance of local capital investment and innovation, and institutional governance theory, which focuses on the role of governance in promoting economic development. The study reveals that poor governance, rising debt, and high economic risks have impeded GFCF and economic stability. By utilizing quantitative data from 1995 to 2023, the research concludes that reducing public debt, improving governance, and minimizing economic risk are critical to revitalizing domestic investment in South Africa. These findings suggest that policy reforms centered on good governance, effective debt management, and economic stabilization can stimulate investment, promote growth, and address the country’s economic challenges. This study offers insights into how governance and fiscal policies shape investment and capital formation in a developing nation, providing valuable guidance for policymakers and stakeholders working towards sustainable economic growth in South Africa.

This study investigates the impact of tourism and institutional quality on environmental preservation, utilizing principal component analysis to generate three composite indices of environmental sustainability for 134 countries from 2002 to 2020. The results reveal that environmental sustainability indices have generally improved in lower- and middle-income nations but have declined in certain high-income countries. The findings also underscore the critical role of institutional quality—particularly regulatory standards, government effectiveness, anti-corruption efforts, and adherence to legal frameworks—in promoting environmental sustainability. However, the study shows that both domestic and international tourism expenditures can have adverse effects on environmental sustainability. Notably, these negative effects are exacerbated in countries with well-developed institutions, which is an unexpected outcome. This highlights the need for careful, thoughtful policymaking to ensure that the tourism sector supports sustainable development, rather than undermining environmental objectives.

In recent years, an ‘international’ unanimity has been reached as to the importance of collective collaboration to avoid the negative effects of climate change. This requires rethinking the old or traditional development model based on economic growth as the exclusive indicator of wealth. Thus, humanity has an urgent need to adopt a new, more humane and fairer economic model that constitutes an alternative to the models of exponential growth that have dominated in the last two centuries. To do so, humanity is looking to the Degrowth model as a potential concept that aims to reduce wealth from pollutants, seeks more justice (as equity), and the improvement of the capabilities of those who are poor and disadvantaged (in the sense of Amartya Sen and Martha Nussbaum). The purpose of this article is to question this model and whether it actually does improve environmental quality. Additionally, if the response is positive, another question arises: How to finance degrowth especially when we seek other less polluting energy sources whose costs seem to be very high?