Lowy Asia Power Index

The annual Asia Power Index — launched by the Lowy Institute in 2018 — measures resources and influence to rank the relative power of states in Asia. The project maps out the existing distribution of power as it stands today, and tracks shifts in the balance of power over time. The Index ranks 27 countries and territories in terms of their capacity to shape their external environment — its scope 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. The 2024 edition is the most comprehensive assessment of the changing distribution of power in Asia to date. It includes Timor-Leste for the first time, reflecting its growing importance as a result of likely accession to the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) in future years. The project evaluates international power in Asia through 131 indicators across eight thematic measures: Military Capability and Defence Networks, Economic Capability and Relationships, Diplomatic and Cultural Influence, as well as Resilience and Future Resources. More than half the data points involve original Lowy Institute research, while the rest are aggregated from hundreds of publicly available national and international sources.

Lowy Asia Power Index, 2024

Key findings in 2024
• China’s plateauing power: China’s power is neither surging nor collapsing. It is plateauing at a level below that of the United States, but still well above any Asian competitors.

• Resilient US power: The United States has buttressed its standing in Asia though it is losing ground to China on Military Capability.

• India rising slowly: India has overtaken Japan to become the third-ranked power in Asia, but its clout remains below the potential promised by its resources.

• Japan is hardening up: Japan is changing from an economic and cultural powerhouse to one much more active in defence and security cooperation.

• Southeast Asian powers on the rise: Southeast Asia’s heavyweights are getting heavier: Indonesia’s power has grown more than any other Index country since 2018.

• Australia is holding its own: Australia continues to rise up the Asia Power Index, making it into the top five as others falter, but its own power is just holding steady.

• Russia’s dwindling relevance: Russia has slipped down the power rankings to sixth place. Its relevance to Asia is declining as its war on Ukraine saps resources and focus.

• Tripolar diplomacy: While Asia remains a “bipolar” game dominated by two superpowers, when it comes to Diplomatic Influence, power is more widely distributed, and Japan is a leading player.