The Rise of Smart Data Systems in Shaping Policy Across Asia and the Pacific

ADB’s 2026 report shows how combining technologies like satellite data, mobile tracking, and AI is helping countries generate faster, more accurate data for policymaking. These innovations are improving decisions in agriculture, mobility, public health, and economic planning across Asia and the Pacific.

In today’s fast-changing world, governments need quick and reliable information to make decisions. A new 2026 report by the Asian Development Bank (ADB), prepared with national statistical offices, the Japan Fund for Prosperous and Resilient Asia and the Pacific, the Japan International Cooperation Agency, and several government partners, shows how data is becoming a powerful tool for development.

The report highlights projects across Armenia, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Thailand, and Vietnam. It makes one key point: it is not just about having more data, but about having better, faster, and more detailed data. By combining new technologies with traditional systems, countries can improve how they plan policies and respond to challenges.

Farming Meets Technology

Agriculture is one of the biggest areas benefiting from data innovation. In Vietnam and Georgia, monitoring crops like rice and maize used to rely on field surveys. These surveys were slow, expensive, and sometimes inaccurate.

ADB introduced a smarter approach. It combines satellite images with small amounts of field data and machine learning. This allows experts to map crops across large areas without visiting every field. The result is quicker and more accurate information.

This matters because governments can now track food production more easily, respond to climate risks, and plan better support for farmers. It also reduces costs, making it easier for countries to maintain such systems in the long run.

Tracking Movement Through Mobile Data

In Thailand, researchers used anonymized mobile phone data to understand how people move. Mobile phones constantly generate location signals, which can show patterns of daily travel and migration.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, this data revealed that many people were leaving cities like Bangkok, even during lockdowns. The main reason was economic, as people searched for better job opportunities.

The same method was also used during floods. It showed how people moved to safer areas and how long they stayed displaced. Importantly, it highlighted that poorer communities were often more affected and slower to recover.

These insights can help governments improve transport systems, plan housing, and respond faster during disasters.

Using Data to Improve Health

In Vietnam, data was used to study how people react to air pollution. Hanoi faces serious air quality issues, and ADB researchers tested whether sending pollution alerts to mobile phones could change behavior.

The results were clear. People who received alerts spent less time outdoors, even if the actual pollution was not as bad as predicted. This shows that people respond strongly to information, especially when it relates to health risks.

This simple idea has big potential. Governments can use mobile alerts as a low-cost way to protect public health while working on long-term solutions to reduce pollution.

Measuring the Economy Better

Another challenge is understanding how economies are changing. Traditional measures like GDP do not fully capture digital growth or environmental impact.

ADB introduced new methods to improve this. In Kazakhstan, for example, the digital economy was found to be growing much faster than the rest of the economy. This helps policymakers focus on sectors that can drive future growth.

At the same time, new environmental accounting tools in countries like Armenia and Thailand are linking economic activity with emissions and natural resources. This gives a clearer picture of sustainability.

ADB also helped countries adjust economic data to remove seasonal effects like holidays or weather changes. This makes it easier to spot real trends and respond quickly to economic shifts.

Building Capacity for the Future

A key part of these projects is training and collaboration. ADB worked closely with national agencies to ensure that new tools can be used independently in the future. This includes sharing knowledge, software, and practical skills.

The overall goal is to build strong data systems that last. By combining innovation with local capacity, countries can continue improving their data long after the projects end.

As the report shows, better data leads to better decisions. In a region facing rapid change, from climate challenges to economic shifts, the ability to act on accurate and timely information is more important than ever.