Innovation and cross-border absorption of knowledge are central forces behind economic convergence and sustained growth. Absorption of technology is considered a necessary step to promote the developm
The vast majority of the world's poorest households depend on farming for their livelihood. During the 1960s and 1970s, most developing countries imposed pro-urban and anti-agricultural policies, whil
Policies promoting pro-poor agricultural growth are the key to helping countries achieve the Millennium Development Goals—especially the goal of halving poverty and hunger by 2015. The public sector,
This paper explores an area of tertiary education that is currently understudied—the extent and nature of differentiation and articulation in African tertiary education systems. The overall finding of
The effectiveness and efficiency of a country's public sector is vital to the success of development activities, including those the World Bank supports. Sound financial management, an efficient civil
Though Western Balkan countries have enjoyed respectable growth rates over the past five years, they now face a shifting international and domestic environment. Trade preferences are eroding, export c
The ability of the media to affect outcomes in economic and political markets has been well documented. News reporting and advertising influence consumer behavior in goods and services markets by reve
'Developing Tests and Questionnaires for a National Assessment of Educational Achievement' is the second in the 'National Assessments of Educational Achievement' series. It is designed to help build c
This title seeks to provide an improved understanding of the links between environmental health risks and malnutrition, analyze new data for the environmental health burden of disease that relates to
The commonly held perception is that businesses owned by women in the Middle East and North Africa are small and informal, that they're less sophisticated, and that they're huddled in low-value-added
Realizing the potential of young people in Latin America and the Caribbean is essential both to their well-being and to the region's long-term welfare. Young people are often seen as the source of pr
This report compiles statistical tables and analysis on the world's people, their economies, and the environment. Release of the final report of the International Comparison Program (ICP) and publicat
'The Little Data Book on External Debt' provides a quick reference for users interested in external debt stocks and flows, major economic aggregates, key debt ratios, and the currency composition of l
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 from the World Bank considers how Brazil can improve its competitiveness in the global economy through creation of human capital and the fostering of innovation. It summarizes conclusions
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
Given the lack of adequate universal social welfare for those unable to find jobs in the salaried formal sector, the livelihoods and well-being of most poor people depends heavily on their asset base.
This at-a-glance guide to global security provides a wealth of information on armed conflicts since 1946. It maps political violence, the links between poverty and conflict, assaults on human rights -
O'Brien (World Bank Institute's Parliamentary Strengthening Program), Stapenhurst (World Bank Institute's governance team), and Johnston (a former director of programs at the Commonwealth Parliamentar
Environmentally and socially sustainable policies are essential for good governance. Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) is the key tool for integrating environmental considerations into policies
The heterogeneity of social structures and cultural identities in many developing countries, together with traditional hierarchies, rivalries, and deep-seated biases, has perpetuated inequities. Inclu
The 'Forests Sourcebook' provides practical operations-oriented guidance for forest sector engagement toward the goals of poverty reduction, conservation and economic development. Intended to guide Wo
Participatory development and government accountability depend in part on the existence of media that provide broad access to information from varied sources and that equip and encourage people to rai
Air pollution in Tehran has become a major problem in recent years, due to the geographical position of the town, industries, and traffic. Most private and public vehicles are old and have no emission
This book is a case study of Vietnam's efforts to fight poverty using market-oriented land reforms. In the 1980s and 1990s, the country undertook major institutional reforms, and an impressive reducti
After almost a decade of successful macroeconomic management and several bold policy decisions, Indonesia is finally in a position of fiscal strength. Since 2006, Indonesia has freed up 'fiscal space'
Disability is an important issue for the transition countries of Eastern Europe and the former Soviet Union. Not only is a significant portion of their population either in poor health or disabled--wi
This World Bank Working Paper discusses equity and efficiency issues in secondary education transitions in Sub-Saharan Africa. Its main purpose is to identify and analyze national, regional, and local
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
This study finds that pension reforms in recent years have improved the efficiency and sustainability of pension systems in the new member states of the European Union and Croatia. However, for many c
The countries of Southeast Europe have undergone a significant transition over the past decade. Helped by macroeconomic stabilization and efforts in advancing structural reforms, real GDP growth has p
'Strategic Communication for Privatization, Public-Private Partnerships, and Private Participation in Infrastructure' reviews the experiences of the World Bank and its clients in employing public comm
'Global Monitoring Report 2008', the fifth in an annual series, is essential reading for those who wish to follow the global development agenda and debate in 2008. The year marks the midpoint toward t
Small states face special hurdles in achieving development gains. These states spend significantly more of their GDP on producing public goods and services, and they face higher connectivity costs tha
By 2010, youth will account for 28 percent of the population of Africa; Garcia and Fares (both economists, World Bank's Human Development Network) examine challenges African youths faces in their tran
'Risk-Based Supervision of Pension Funds' provides a review of the design and experience of risk-based pension fund supervision in countries that have been leaders in the development of these methods.
Since the mid-1990s, sub-Saharan Africa has experienced an acceleration of economic growth that has produced rising incomes and faster human development. However, this growth contrasts with the contin
'Linking Education Policy to Labor Market Outcomes' examines current research and new evidence from Ghana and Pakistan—representative of two of the poorest regions of the world—to assess how education
