China and India's spectacular economic rise over the last two decades has accelerated their trade and investment flows with the Middle East and North Africa (MENA), particularly with the oil-producing
Historically countries of Eastern Europe and Central Asia have faced a number of obstacles in their transition to democracy and market-based economies. These obstacles include higher levels of corrupt
The economies in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region are diverse in many ways, making it difficult to develop a common social protection strategy. Countries differ in size and per capita in
Half of small businesses in Kenya are owned and operated by women, but Kenya's women suffer significant inequities. This report by the World Bank asserts that business women in Kenya should be encoura
The financial crisis, which began in the United States and Western Europe swiftly expanded into an economic crisis throughout developing countries. The Eastern Europe and Central Asia region was hit
The world's demand for food is expected to double within the next 50 years, while the natural resources that sustain agriculture will become increasingly scarce, degraded, and vulnerable to the effect
Once one of the world's largest staple food producers, Angola is now known as a major oil exporter—the second largest producer in sub-Saharan Africa. Angola is also the world's fourth largest producer
The lives of women around the world have improved dramatically, at a pace and scope diffi cult to imagine even 25 years ago. Women have made unprecedented gains in rights, education, health, and acces
The department of the World Bank called the Independent Evaluation Group assesses the performance of its mother institution during 2010. The year was dominated by the response to the global financial
'A Unified Approach to Measuring Poverty and Inequality: Theory and Practice' is an introduction to the theory and practice of measuring poverty and inequality, as well as a user's guide for analyzing
This study evaluates the effectiveness of the World Bank Group’s support for health, nutrition, and population (HNP) in developing countries from 1997 to 2008 – totaling more than $17 billion – and di
Access to financial services varies sharply around the world. In many developing countries less than half the population has an account with a financial institution, and in most of Africa less than on
Construction of infrastructure, a pre-requisite for sustained socioeconomic growth, often requires acquisition of land and, therefore, physical relocation and economic displacement of people. If such
This Little Data Book presents tables for over 213 economies showing the most recent national data on key indicators of information and communications technology (ICT), including access, quality, affo
“Public Office, Private Interests: Accountability through Income and Asset Disclosure” examines the objectives, design features, and implementation approaches that can contribute to the effectiveness
This pocket (4.5x8.5") reference offers 210 one-page country entries with statistics on the impact of information and communication technology from 2000 and 2008, across a range of indicators includin
Now in its second edition, the Little Data Book on Information and Communication Technology 2008 presents at-a-glance tables for over 140 economies. The book shows the most recent national data on key
Why have only 13 developing world economies achieved sustained, high growth since World War II?Why is engagement with the global economy necessary to achieve high growth?Why do many countries, blesse
Development patterns, increasing population pressure, and the demand for better livelihoods in many parts of the globe all contribute to a steadily deepening global water crisis. Development redirects
This evaluation assesses the effectiveness of the World Bank’s 2001 gender strategy and the results thereof. Covering the period fiscal 2002-08, the evaluation finds that the Bank made progress in ge
This study is based on research on secondary textbook and school library provision in Botswana, Cameroon, Cote d'Ivoire, Ghana, Kenya, Malawi, Rwanda, Tanzania, and Togo, as well as existing recent co
Increasingly the role of management and governance is recognized as important for providing and delivering effective services at all levels of education. In view of the growing demand for more and bet
Economic and social changes, fast evolution of technology, and the growing importance of Internet services and international communications--all these require secondary education providers to adapt wh
Over the next two decades, the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region faces an unprecedented challenge. In 2000, the labor forces of the region totaled some 104 million workers, a figure expected
The Caribbean Region is second only to Africa in the impact of HIV and AIDS. The Caribbean Community (CARICOM) has responded to this challenge by promoting a multisectoral response to the epidemic. UN
Transport prices for most African landlocked countries range from 15 to 20 percent of import costs. This is approximately two to three times more than in most developed countries. It is well known tha
Guangdong, a province of over 93 million residents, is located on the southern coast of China, boarding with Hong Kong, China. As China’s powerhouse for economic growth and a pioneer of reform and ope
Despite the East Asia and Pacific (EAP) region's impressive economic growth, over 1 billion of its people still lack access to electricity and modern cooking solutions. To achieve universal access to
'From Privilege to Competition: Unlocking Private-Led Growth in the Middle East and North Africa' sheds new light on the difficult quest for stronger and more diversified growth in a region of unquest
Geographical differences in living standards are a pressing concern for policy makers in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region. Production is most efficient when concentrated in leading area
The World Bank finances about US$720 million in training every year, through both its lending projects and its in-house World Bank Institute (WBI). The evaluation found that while most of the training
This report is a pilot cross-country study that summarizes 10 years (1998-2008) of the World Bank’s engagement at the state level in selected large federal countries and combines elements of a country
As the global economy rapidly changes and new technologies are introduced, more highly-skilled workers are required. In the countries of the Organization of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS), firms stru
Water in the Middle East and North Africa region is a source of major social and economic problems stemming from scarcity, variability, unreliable services, and environmental damage. The situation is
A longstanding debate on health system organization relates to the benefits of integrating programs that emphasize specific interventions into mainstream health systems to increase access and improve
Global warming and changes in climate will have severe and lasting impacts on national efforts to alleviate poverty and promote sustainable development. Some of the world’s poorest countries and c
Production and export diversification expose firms to domestic and international competition, which enhances productivity and ultimately drives a country’s structural transformation from agriculture t
Rising densities of human settlements, migration and transport to reduce distances to market, and specialization and trade facilitated by fewer international divisions are central to economic developm
