A number of South East Asian cities continue to flounder in the face of increasing threats and potential attacks (political parties seeking independence, religious demonstrations, etc.). The Asia Pacific region, on the other hand, has witnessed considerable development.

Overall, the quality of living in Asia as a region fell between 2009 and 2010.

Asia, which is prone to experiencing natural disasters, fell victim to a number of severe earthquakes, typhoons and cyclones in 2009 (and 2010). Unfortunately, these events have had a negative effect on quality of living in some Asian/Pacific cities. Typhoon Ketsana caused flooding in Manila (Philippines) – the worst that metropolitan Manila has seen since rainfall records have been kept – and also affected parts of China, Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia and Thailand. More than 680 people died, and quality of living declined in Manila as a result of the typhoon. Indonesia, another area that regularly experiences natural disasters, also had its quality of living affected after a devastating earthquake struck Sumatra island in September 2009. According to official reports, more than 1,100 people were killed.

Meanwhile, political instability continued to pose a major problem in countries such as Afghanistan, Pakistan, Thailand and Myanmar. Demonstrations against the government have been commonplace in Bangkok in recent years, and they are expected to continue, as there has been no sign of improvement within Thailand’s political arena in 2010.

Although political troubles continue to be rife in many of South Asia’s countries, some nations – such as Sri Lanka and Bangladesh – experienced positive changes in their political environments. Sri Lanka’s internal stability rose slightly, following the defeat of the Tamil Tigers by the Sri Lankan army. However, the country’s level of stability is still low by international standards and it remains to be seen whether this improvement can be sustained. Elections held in Bangladesh were widely regarded as being free and fair, a development that has had a positive impact on quality of living.