Sustainable trade
Sustainable Trade Index 2018
Published 26 June 2018
Our Sustainable Trade Index evaluates the readiness of 20 Indo-Pacific economies for sustainable trade. It was created to encourage meaningful discussions amongst policymakers and business executives about the linkages between trade and sustainability.
About the Index
The Hinrich Foundation commissioned the Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU) in 2016 to develop a bi-annual Sustainable Trade Index (STI).
STI 2018, the second in the series, evaluates the readiness of 20 Indo-Pacific economies to trade in a manner that provides environmental and social benefits in addition to economic growth.
- Economies can use the STI to benchmark their performance and evaluate the future impacts of their trade policies
- Companies can use the index dataset to evaluate the sustainability impacts of their global value chains
Download the STI 2018 white paper
STI 2018 findings
The Sustainable Trade Index 2018 shows that bad policy choices are impeding Asian economies, particularly the richer ones, to participate sustainably in trade. This is a worrying trend that requires policy attention.
- As trade tensions are rising and protectionist forces are on the march, trade sustainability - and more particularly, the equitable distribution of trade benefits - have become essential considerations.
- The achievement of balanced economic, environmental and social outcomes through trade encourages global engagement and builds stronger economies.
- The lack of achievement, therefore, can hobble economic growth, heighten social tensions and strain international relations.
- On the positive side, some middle-income economies (in per capita terms) such as Sri Lanka, China and Vietnam have leapfrogged the richer ones on trade sustainability, and they are turning this into a competitive advantage.
Download our STI 2018 fact sheet
It is now abundantly clear that countries that fall short on trade sustainability face competitiveness, social and environmental issues. APAC economies are encouraged to use the index to benchmark their performance and view positive examples of trade policy.
The STI dataset
The detailed results for the 20 economies reviewed in the STI are presented in an excel format. Results can be compared accross economies, indicators and years.
Country reports
Looking for specific information on an economy? Download an in-depth breakdown of a country's performance on the 2018 Index by clicking on the country names below.
| 1st |  |
Hong Kong | 11th |  |
India | |
| 2nd |  |
S.Korea | 12th |  |
Malaysia | |
| 3rd |  |
Singapore | 13th |  |
Thailand | |
| 4th |  |
Japan | 14th |  |
Indonesia | |
| 5th |  |
USA | 15th |  |
Brunei | |
| 6th |  |
Taiwan | 16th |  |
Pakistan | |
| 7th |  |
Sri Lanka | 17th |  |
Bangladesh | |
| 8th |  |
China | 18th |  |
Laos | |
| 9th |  |
Vietnam | 19th |  |
Cambodia | |
| 10th |  |
Philippines | 20th |  |
Myanmar |
© The Hinrich Foundation. See our website Terms and Conditions for our copyright and reprint policy. All statements of fact and the views, conclusions and recommendations expressed in this publication are the sole responsibility of the author(s).
Downloadable materials
Sustainable trade index white paper Presents the key findings and country rankings
Index dataset Includes the detailed country data and results for each indicators. Allows comparisions between countries, years and per indicator.
Fact sheet Shows the key figures and findings from the 2018 Index
Infographic Provides a visual representation of the key index findings
Related news highlight
Vietnam Moves Up on the Sustainable Trade Index
Dezan Shira & Associates featured the Hinrich Foundation Sustainable Trade Index 2018 in its Vietnam Briefing report.
PH rises to 10th spot in sustainable trade index
The Philippines’ ranking on the 2018 Hinrich Foundation Sustainable Trade Index is highlighted by The Manila Times
PH among ‘top performers’ in Asia on sustainable trade
Philippines shows major improvement, becomes ‘most educated population’ among all low income countries on the 2018 Hinrich Foundation Sustainable Trade Index.
Hong Kong takes top spot in 2018 Sustainable Trade Index
Feature on Hong Kong’s first place ranking and other key findings from the Hinrich Foundation Sustainable Trade Index 2018.
Asian trade bucks the protectionist trend – but struggles with sustainability
Coverage of key themes and top results from the Hinrich Foundation Sustainable Trade Index 2018.
Here's what kept Singapore from topping the 2018 sustainable trade index
It slipped two places down to third this year after topping the list in 2016.
Asia has “broadly regressed” on trade sustainability
The 2018 Hinrich Foundation Sustainable Trade Index is highlighted in article about trade sustainability in Asian economies.
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