Green finance is now a central theme in both public policy and private investment. The expansion of green bonds, sustainability-linked loans, and climate-focused equity products reflects growing demand for alignment between capital allocation and environmental objectives. Yet for all the momentum, one challenge remains persistent: how to reliably track where the money is going, and […]
Telehealth—virtual consultations, remote diagnostics, digital prescriptions—felt like a novelty for most of the past decade. Before the pandemic thrust it into the spotlight, its growth was incremental, often limited to pilot projects or specialized clinics. For analysts trying to quantify this quiet shift, ISIC 8621 (General medical practice) provided both a starting point and a […]
For all the advances in global logistics and data analytics, supply chain transparency remains a surprisingly elusive goal. Even the most sophisticated firms, in sectors like electronics, pharmaceuticals, or automotive, frequently struggle to see beyond their first or second-tier suppliers. The consequences are now well understood: sudden shortages, cascading disruptions, and, at times, reputational damage […]
Urbanization is rarely a neat, linear process. Cities swell in fits and starts, often outpacing the plans drawn up by planners or the hopes of policymakers. For those seeking to understand not just how much cities are growing, but what that growth actually looks like on the ground, ISIC 4120—covering the construction of residential and […]
The story of advertising in 2019 is, at its core, a story of digital migration. As brands poured resources into online platforms, agencies adapted—some with ease, others with urgency. But beneath the headlines and the creative sizzle, analysts and policymakers faced the perennial question: How fast is this shift happening, and where is the momentum […]
Global trade in staple goods—food, beverages, and tobacco—rarely commands headlines, but it is the unseen engine behind everything from food security to macroeconomic stability. In 2019, shifts in wholesale trade flows told a story not only of market trends, but also of policy moves and changing consumer preferences. For analysts trying to map these currents, […]
In a world increasingly driven by automation and electrification, the global trade in electric motors is both a barometer and a driver of industrial change. For economists, policymakers, and industry strategists, understanding the movement of these products in 2018 and 2019 requires more than simply scanning export tallies. ISIC 2710—covering the manufacture of electric motors—offers […]
E-commerce has always moved fast, but in Southeast Asia, 2019 felt like a turning point. The region saw digital marketplaces multiply, payment apps rise, and a new cohort of small businesses take their first steps online. For regulators and policymakers across the ASEAN bloc, the challenge was not just to keep up, but to quantify […]
No one doubts the importance of small and medium enterprises—SMEs—in driving employment and economic diversification. They feature in nearly every ministerial speech, every multilateral policy report, and every five-year economic plan. But the persistence of generic, one-size-fits-all support measures suggests a gap: the reality is that SMEs are anything but homogenous. Their challenges differ sharply […]
The march of automation into factory floors has been a defining feature of industrial change, but the reality of robotics adoption—who’s buying, who’s installing, and what it means for jobs—remains difficult to capture in real time. For analysts and policymakers, ISIC 2825, covering the manufacture of machinery for mining and construction, offers a strategic vantage […]
The gig economy has a reputation for being everywhere and nowhere at once—a headline trend, but hard to pin down in official data. In cities around the world, the surge of freelancers, micro-entrepreneurs, and niche service providers has transformed daily life. Yet, quantifying that change, especially at the pace it happens, remains a puzzle. For […]
By 2018, solar power in Europe had evolved from boutique experiment to a vital pillar of the energy transition. Yet, beneath the continent’s ambitious climate targets, the nuts and bolts of progress were mapped one project at a time. For analysts, policymakers, and investors, tracking this expansion required more than just counting megawatts; it called […]
The informal sector is a defining feature of many economies, especially in low- and middle-income countries. It is a space where millions of people make their livelihoods—often outside the reach of regulation, taxation, and basic legal protections. For governments, the drive to formalize these businesses is both a policy imperative and a formidable challenge. Increasingly, […]
The pharmaceutical sector has long stood out for its commitment to research and development. Yet, behind the headlines of breakthrough drugs and global mergers, the task of measuring R&D investment remains surprisingly complex. For policymakers, economists, and industry leaders, ISIC 2100—covering the manufacture of pharmaceuticals—provides a structured approach to understanding not just who spends, but […]
If the integrity of economic data rests on a single pillar, it is probably the accuracy of industry classification. For decades, national statistical agencies have relied on the International Standard Industrial Classification (ISIC) system to bring order to the messy diversity of economic activity. ISIC is now the bedrock of headline statistics—GDP, productivity, employment, wage […]
The year 2017 saw the IT sector accelerate at a pace that caught many off guard. From startups innovating in cloud computing to established firms expanding digital consultancy, the surge in activity reshaped markets and employment landscapes alike. For analysts aiming to quantify this growth, ISIC codes 6201 (Computer programming) and 6202 (Computer consultancy) provide […]