Insurance plays a positive role in economic develoment, but some of its traditional products are inhibiting in some cultural settings. This book explains the development of a hybrid model. Takaful (w
Agricultural development through crop diversification, irrigation, high yielding crop varieties, and public investments in infrastructure has improved food security and its seasonal dimension worldwid
During the 1990s, SSA countries initiated agricultural policy reforms to increase producer incentives and increase growth. Yet, agricultural growth rates after the reforms have been uneven. This has
This volume first examines projected demographic changes that will affect the economic well-being of China’s rural elderly over the next twenty years, taking into account both China’s sharp demographi
Health insurance can offer protection against catastrophic medical expenses and improve access to health care. There are, however, imperfections in the insurance market that require intervention such
For countries as diverse as China and Mauritius, Special Economic Zones (SEZs) have been a powerful tool to attract foreign investment, promote export-oriented growth, and generate employment; for man
The East Asia and Pacific region is characterized by wide variations in sources of healthcarefinancing, pooling of funds, purchasing of care services, and the extent to which thesepolicy instruments a
With the growing maturity of pension reforms, research on pension systems has shifted from an emphasis on the accumulation phase to the payout phase for retiring workers. Following discussions of the
This World Bank publication brings together contributions from senior public pension fund officials, policy makers, regulators, and other practitioners in the governance and investment of pensions and
This volume uses recent research from the World Bank to document and analyze the bidirectional relationship between poverty and migration in developing countries. The case studies chapters compiled in
The East Asia and Pacific Economic Update is the comprehensive, twice-yearly review of the region's economies prepared by the East Asia and Pacific region of the World Bank. In this edition titled, R
South Asia has the highest rates of malnutrition and the largest number of malnourished women and children in the world. Childhood malnutrition is the main cause of child mortality—one-third of all ch
Public debate in Nigeria on the country's progress since its return to democracy in 1999 has been dominated by two seemingly opposite themes. The first theme is the strong growth performance of the n
Although overall HIV prevalence in South Asia is low, the widespread stigma attached to HIV and AIDS impedes efforts to reach people most in need of prevention, care, and treatment services. To addre
Access to broadband connectivity is a country's passport to the global information society and knowledge economy---the future. However, the adoption and use of broadband technology today remains extre
This volume systematically assesses the costs of drugs for developing countries. Itbrings together evidence on the efficacy andconsequences of all aspects of current drug policies, includ
*What were the causes of the financial and economic crises of 2008-2009?*What intellectual and policy mistakes prevented academics and policymakers from anticipating the crisis?*What is the future of
The drug policies of wealthy consuming countries emphasize criminalization, interdiction, and eradication. Such extreme responses to social challenges risk unintended, costly consequences. The eviden
The Schumpeterian process of 'creative destruction' is an essential ingredient of a dynamic economy. In many countries around the world, however, this process is weakened by pervasive regulation of p
The question of whether political, fiscal, and administrative decentralization improves government effectiveness is hotly debated among researchers and policy makers. 'Decentralization, Democracy, and
This survey assembles recent theoretical and empirical advances in the literature on economic informality and analyzes the causes and costs of informality in developed and developing economies. Using
Despite a low enrollment rate in higher education of 3 percent on average, in comparison with 8 percent in countries with comparable levels of development, Francophone African countries are currently
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
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
Although most policymakers and lay people assumed advances in technology would serve as the backbone of global development, few initially regarded sustainable growth as a key factor in globalization's
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
Noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) are by far the major cause of death in lower-middle, upper-middle, and high-income countries; by 2015, they will also be the leading cause of death in low-income countr
'Global Development Finance' (GDF), is the World Bank's annual review of recent trends in and prospects for financial flows to developing countries. It is an indispensable resource for governments, ec
This report from the World Bank seeks to analyze the distributional effect of minimum wage policies in the developing world, particularly Latin America and the Caribbean, in order to provide guidance
Poverty in Africa is largely the outcome of slow growth. With the region hosting 10 percent of the world's population but a staggering 30 percent of the world's poor, the challenges it faces are enorm
Globalization and its relation to poverty reduction and development is not well understood. The book identifies the ways in which globalization can overcome poverty or make it worse. The book defines
Since 1997, China has devoted considerable resources to information and communications technology (ICT) development. China has the world's largest telecommunications market, and its information techno
Over the past 15 years, Singapore's judicial system has undergone a series of reforms aimed at modernization. In this report, Malik (affiliation not cited) examines the reform process from a managemen
This book contributes to the debate about the role of agriculture in poverty reduction by addressing three sets of questions: (1) Does investing in agriculture enhance/harm overall economicgrowth, and
Globalization and its relation to poverty reduction and development is not well understood. The book identifies the ways in which globalization can overcome poverty or make it worse. The book defines
The predicted growth of the Indian and Chinese economies, with their massive populations, portends important implications for the rest of the world. In this volume, Winters (director, Development Rese
'The World Bank Legal Review, Volume 2' is a publication for policy makers and their advisers, attorneys, and other professionals engaged in the field of international development. It offers a combina
The theme of The World Development Report 2007 is youth - young people between the ages of 12 to 24. As this population group seeks identity and independence, they make decisions that affect not only
The theme of The World Development Report 2007 is youth - young people between the ages of 12 to 24. As this population group seeks identity and independence, they make decisions that affect not only
This title examines the links between gender, time use, and poverty in Sub-Saharan Africa. It contributes to a broader definition of poverty to include "time poverty", and to a broader definition of w
