Asia Bond Monitor June 2025

This edition reviews developments in local currency bond markets including sustainable bonds in the region during the first quarter of 2025 and provides an assessment of the region's financial condition, risks, and policy options. This edition notes that local currency bond markets in emerging East Asia totaled USD27.2 trillion at the end of March. Amid elevated global uncertainty, growth eased to 2.7% quarter-on-quarter in the first quarter of 2025 from 3.1% in the fourth quarter of 2024. The publication includes discussions on capital market financing and on why high debt makes it harder for central banks to do their job. This edition of Asia Bond Monitor shares findings from a study using AI to examine company reporting on environmental, social, and governance issues. It covers the 10 members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations and the People's Republic of China; Hong Kong, China; and the Republic of Korea.