The president, Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, will consolidate his control as his long-serving
predecessor, Nursultan Nazarbayev, watches from behind the throne. A second
pandemic surge (and second lockdown), compounded by a slump in oil prices, brought
a long run of economic growth to an end, though the government responded with aid
measures paid for in part from its well-stocked sovereign-wealth fund. The rebound will
be quick, with the lost ground fully recovered before year-end. The oil price will also
tick up, though not by much.

Malaysia

GDP growth: 5.0%