Assessing emerging markets’ vulnerability to financial crisis

Since 2011, emerging economies have experienced a significant and largely unexpected growth slowdown. They have also faced several episodes of financial turmoil over the past two years. This paper examines the developments in 28 emerging economies since the global financial crisis and assesses their financial vulnerabilities. We analyze several factors that have contributed to the growth slowdown and the increased financial vulnerabilities: the exposure to the commodity price decline; the combination of weakening investment and rapidly rising leverage in the private sector; and increased political instability and uncertainty. Addressing these issues is critical for both short-term stability and longer-term development prospects.