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S&P Affirms Saudi Arabia’s 'A/A-1' Credit Rating, Outlook Improves to 'Positive'

The Saudi flag. Asharq Al-Awsat
The Saudi flag. Asharq Al-Awsat
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S&P Affirms Saudi Arabia’s 'A/A-1' Credit Rating, Outlook Improves to 'Positive'

The Saudi flag. Asharq Al-Awsat
The Saudi flag. Asharq Al-Awsat

Standard & Poor's (S&P) affirmed Saudi Arabia's credit rating in local and foreign currency at "A/A-1" with an improvement in outlook from "stable" to "positive," according to its recently issued report.
In its report, S&P explained that its affirmation of the Kingdom's strong credit rating results from continued efforts in comprehensive reforms and investments, which will contribute to supporting the development of the non-oil economy and the sustainability of public finances.
S&P indicated its expectation of increasing growth in the non-oil sector in the Kingdom in the medium term as a result of its continued implementation of the initiatives of Saudi Vision 2030, with the prioritization of accelerating major infrastructure projects with the aim of easing pressure on public finances.

S&P expected that the Kingdom's gross domestic product (GDP) will continue to grow during the years 2024-2027, based on the remarkable growth in investments in the non-oil sector, the rise in consumption rates, and its expectation that the Kingdom will emerge in the long term as a more diversified economy, with more job opportunities for young people.

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China Approves Plan to Raise Retirement Age from January 2025 

Commuters ride an escalator at a subway station during the morning rush hour in Beijing, Friday, Sept. 13, 2024. (AP)
Commuters ride an escalator at a subway station during the morning rush hour in Beijing, Friday, Sept. 13, 2024. (AP)
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China Approves Plan to Raise Retirement Age from January 2025 

Commuters ride an escalator at a subway station during the morning rush hour in Beijing, Friday, Sept. 13, 2024. (AP)
Commuters ride an escalator at a subway station during the morning rush hour in Beijing, Friday, Sept. 13, 2024. (AP)

China's top legislative body has approved a proposal to raise the country's retirement age, the official Xinhua news agency said on Friday, accelerating an overhaul of decades-old laws to tackle the economic pressure of a shrinking workforce.

China's retirement ages are currently amongst the lowest globally.

Reform is urgent with life expectancy in China having risen to 78 years as of 2021 from about 44 years in 1960 and projected to exceed 80 years by 2050. At the same time, the working population needed to support the elderly is shrinking.

The retirement age will be raised for men to 63 years old from 60, while for women in white collar work it would be raised to 58 years from 55. For women in blue collar work it will be adjusted to 55 from 50.

The changes are set to come into force on Jan. 1, 2025.

Having people work for longer would ease pressure on pension budgets with many Chinese provinces already reeling from large deficits. But delaying pension payouts and requiring older workers to stay at their jobs longer may not be welcomed by all of them.

Hundreds of thousands of people took to social media after Xinhua reported that China's top lawmakers discussed the topic on Sept. 10, with many expressing concern there would be more job seekers chasing too few openings.

By raising the retirement age, the government can increase the labor force participation rate, helping to mitigate the adverse effects of population aging, said Xiujian Peng, senior research fellow at the Center of Policy Studies at Victoria University in Australia.

"The government must take action. If the population continues to decline, the shrinking of the labor force will accelerate, further negatively impacting economic growth."

Xing Zhaopeng, ANZ's senior China strategist said the move would likely have "no impact on the short-term economy. In the long run, it will help to avoid premature labor shortages and maintain stable productivity growth."