Frontier Markets: The Next Generation of Economic Superstars - World Bank Expert Answers

What exactly are frontier markets, and why do they matter for global growth, jobs, and investment today? In this episode of Expert Answers, Ayhan Kose, Deputy Chief Economist of the World Bank Group, explains how frontier markets are defined and what will determine their growth prospects. Frontier markets sit between low-income economies and larger emerging markets. Many of these countries have young populations and significant growth potential, yet they also face rising debt vulnerabilities, external shocks, and slowing investment. In this video, Ayhan Kose explains how frontier markets are classified, why growth and investment have decelerated, and what policy actions can help unlock private investment, create jobs, and support more durable, inclusive growth. Drawing on World Bank Group analysis, the conversation looks at frontier markets that have performed relatively well, what they did differently, and the lessons other countries can take from their experience. We also examine how global financial conditions, capital flows, and structural reforms shape the outlook for frontier market economies. Explore the latest global economic analysis on worldbank.org: 00:00 Why Frontier Markets Matter for Global Growth 00:15 What Are Frontier Markets? 00:58 Frontier Markets vs Emerging Markets Explained 02:15 Why Frontier Markets Matter for Jobs 03:34 How Many Frontier Markets Are There? 03:45 Top Policy Priorities for Frontier Economies 04:16 Countries That Graduated to High Income 04:30 25 Years of Frontier Market Growth 05:33 Lessons From Top-Performing Frontier Markets 07:02 Rwanda and Vietnam as Success Stories 08:09 Final Thoughts #FrontierMarkets #GlobalEconomy #EconomicDevelopment ABOUT THE WORLD BANK 🌐 The World Bank is one of the world’s largest sources of funding and knowledge for low-income countries. Its five institutions share a commitment to reducing poverty, increasing shared prosperity, and promoting sustainable development on a livable planet. http://www.worldbank.org