The 2016 edition of Key Indicators for Asia and the Pacific has just been released. Key Indicators 2016 provides the latest available economic, financial, social, and environmental statistics for the 48 regional members of the Asian Development Bank (ADB). Highlights of this year's report include:

Some of the new elements for 2016 include disaggregated data across economic sectors consistent with the System of National Accounts 2008 and updated Balance of Payments data in line with the sixth edition of the Balance of Payments and International Investment Position Manual.

ADB, based in Manila, is dedicated to reducing poverty in Asia and the Pacific through inclusive economic growth, environmentally sustainable growth, and regional integration. Established in 1966, ADB in December 2016 will mark 50 years of development partnership in Asia. It is owned by 67 members-48 from the region. It is owned by 67 members-48 from the region. In 2015, ADB assistance totaled $27.2 billion, including cofinancing of $10.7 billion.

The absolute values of the indicators tell another part of the story (table 1.1). The indicators, on their own or in comparison with the indicators of a good practice economy or those of comparator economies in the region, may reveal bottlenecks reflected in large numbers of procedures, long delays or high costs. Or they may reveal unexpected strengths in an area of business regulation-such as a regulatory process that can be completed with a small number of procedures in a few days and at a low cost. Comparison of the economy's indicators today with those in the previous year may show where substantial bottlenecks persist-and where they are diminishing.