The financial stress of 2008 pushed the world economy into its most severe recession since the Great Depression. Despite the apparent risk financial stress poses to the real economy, the relationship between financial stress and economic activity is complex and not well understood. The present study focuses on the impact caused by the 2008 financial break-down, and its connection to the real economy. It has been observed that few countries have partially recovered from the 2008 financial market shock, and some countries are still struggling in one way or the other to come out of it. These financial stocks are non-linear and multi-dimensional. They can create interest rate issues, liquidity issues, fiscal issues, over leveraging of the financial markets, debt issues or a complex combination of any of the above issues. In the present study each of the twelve countries have been combined to understand the global financial stress and its dynamics. We have also studied each country on a standalone basis to understand the crucial issues given the financial stress scenario. The present book provides an analytical approach to understand the financial and economic issues faced by each country.