Programs & Projects

The Power and Diplomacy Program

Asia Power Index

The Lowy Institute Asia Power Index is an analytical tool for sharpening debate on power in the Asia-Pacific. The Index ranks 26 countries and territories in terms of their power, reaching as far west as Pakistan, as far north as Russia, and as far into the Pacific as Australia, New Zealand, and the United States. Explore state power across eight measures and 133 indicators. Plot the distribution of power in Asia on an interactive map. Compare variations in performance within and between countries. Adjust the principal weightings of the Index. And drill down into hundreds of unique country data points and findings.

Experts
Latest publications
News and media
Director, Southeast Asia Program
Director of Research
Data Analyst, Asia Power Index
India’s never-ending quest for global status
India’s never-ending quest for global status
Running up to the annual United Nations General Assembly leaders meeting, renewed debates broke out in New Delhi about India’s quest to have a permanent seat on the UN Security…
Power in Asia: Pivots, paper tigers and regional poles
Power in Asia: Pivots, paper tigers and regional poles
As great power competition intensifies in the Indo-Pacific, so too has contestation over power-transition narratives. On the one hand, there are those that see US power in steep…
North Korea and its middle power friends
North Korea and its middle power friends
While the West tends to dismiss North Korea as a rogue state or hermit kingdom, the reality is that North Korea is a nuclear power. That automatically boosts its position on the…
Timor-Leste joins the Asia Power Index
Timor-Leste joins the Asia Power Index
When we think of power, we typically focus on the economic strength and military might of a country. Timor-Leste, the newest addition to the Lowy Institute’s Asia Power Index, has…
2024 Asia Power Index Key Findings Report
Reports
2024 Asia Power Index Key Findings Report
In-depth analysis and insight into the changing power distribution in Asia and its geopolitical consequences.
Power in Asia: Outliers and curiosities
Power in Asia: Outliers and curiosities
Each year, the Lowy Institute Asia Power Index ranks the relative power of states in Asia across eight metrics. The key findings for 2024 are available on the Asia Power Index…
2024 Asia Power Index
Interactives
2024 Asia Power Index
A comprehensive assessment of the changing distribution of power in Asia, ranking 27 countries and territories through 131 indicators.
Power in Asia: Six surprising facts
Power in Asia: Six surprising facts
During a summer break, The Interpreter will feature selected articles each day from throughout the past year. Normal publishing will resume 15 January, 2024. This article first…
Decoding diplomatic dynamics in Asia: The numbers tell a captivating story
Decoding diplomatic dynamics in Asia: The numbers tell a captivating story
The cancellation of US President Joe Biden’s visits to Australia and Papua New Guinea raised predictable questions about the ability of the United States to focus on the Indo…
Australian Associated Press
30 May 2024
Carnegie Endowment for International Peace
8 November 2023