Although necessary and often first rate, technocratic solutions alone have been ineffective in delivering real change or lasting results in governance reforms. This is primarily because reform program
Poor people derive most of their income from work. However, there is insufficient understanding of the role of employment and earnings as a link between growth and poverty reduction, especially in low
Poor people derive most of their income from work. However, there is insufficient understanding of the role of employment and earnings as a link between growth and poverty reduction, especially in low
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
This report, produced with the help of Madagascar's national education team in 2006-2007, is designed to contribute to ongoing education reform discussions. It analyzes the constraints to system expan
The five authors, who are experts in the field of energy management, were recruited by the World Bank to write this study on achieving energy efficiency in developing nations. Examples are drawn from
'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
Knowledge and its application are now widely recognized to be key sources of growth in the global economy. Putting knowledge to work allows countries to improve everyday life for their people, opening
While Tanzania has been at the forefront of creating a positive legal framework and political context for gender equality, certain legal, regulatory, and administrative barriers still hinder women's f
Drawing upon recent analytical work prepared inside and outside the World Bank, this report identifies key lessons concerning the linkages between poverty and the environment. With a focus on the cont
Peru has made great strides in educational coverage. Although the gender balance is not perfect, it is at about the same level as that found in the rest of Latin America. However, Peru has an inequali
Large regional disparities in labor market indicators exist in Central Europe and the Baltic region. Such disparities appear to be persistent over time indicating, in part, a lack of flexibility in th
This new addition to the 'Little Data Book' titles presents at-a-glance tables for over 140 economies showing the most recent national data on key indicators of information and communications technolo
From the Korea Development Institute and the World Bank Institute comes this follow up report to 2000's Korea and the Knowledge-Based Economy: Making the Transition (2000). This report evaluates curre
The HIV/AIDS epidemic has the potential to impede and even reverse development if not addressed early enough. Poverty and income inequality have been shown to facilitate the diffusion of HIV epidemics
This book, arising from over twenty years experience of working with the world's major faiths, draws extensively upon joint World Bank and ARC (Alliance of Religion and Conservation)/WWF (World Wildli
This volume examines the possibilities and pitfalls to successful financial sector tax reform from theoretical, empirical and practical perspectives. It explores the possibilities and limitations of '
Sustainable poverty reduction and equitable economic development depend on the solid foundation of the rule of law. These reforms are underpinned by legal reform, whether it be to increase efficiency
The development of industrial relations in different countries can be essential in their efforts to balance competitiveness with equitable wages and improved working conditions. Consequently, a well-f
A large proportion of the 100 historic cities and nearly 200 sacred sites on the World Heritage List are located in the developing world. Of key concern is how historic cities fare against the populat
During recent years, many Latin American countries have undergone significant reforms. The economic systems that emerged in the 1930s, stifled by heavy government intervention and protectionism, have
A strong and widely acknowledged record of economic success -- including a three-and-half fold increase in per capita income since 1994 -- places Rwanda among the world's fastest growing economies, su
Dam safety is central to public protection and economic security. Aging portfolios of large dams, increasing populations, and rapid urbanization require the development of legal and institutional fram
Budget literacy is defined as 'the ability to read, decipher, and understand public budgets to enable and enhance meaningful citizen participation in the budget process'. It is comprised of two main p
The Global Findex database is the world's most comprehensive set of data on how people make payments, save money, borrow and manage risk. Launched in 2011, it includes more than 100 financial inclusio
Water has always been a source of risks and opportunities in the Middle East and North Africa. Yet rapidly changing socioeconomic, political, and environmental conditions make water security a differe
Urbanization in East Asia and the Pacific has created enormous opportunity for many. Yet the rapid growth of cities can also create challenges as national and local governments try to keep up with the
Higher education in Latin America and the Caribbean has expanded dramatically in the past 15 years, as the average gross enrollment rate has more than doubled, and many new institutions and programs h
Central America has come a long way both in terms of economic and political stability. Increasingly the region is focusing on implementing productivity-enhancing reforms as well as supporting reductio
Sustainable economic development has played a major role in the decline of global poverty in the last two decades. There is no doubt that competitive markets are key drivers of economic growth and pro
This report updates previous studies that measured in economic terms the extent of biological losses attributable to overfishing globally. The new estimates assess these "sunken billions" at $83 billi
Latin America and the Caribbean region (LAC) has seen a “decade of convergence.” The recent growth performance in LAC has also been especially pro-poor. Understanding the factors underlying LAC’s grow
Since the early 2000s, Indonesia has taken a number of steps to prioritize early childhood development – ranging from the inclusion of Early Childhood Development (ECD) in the National Education Syste
Human capital refers to a broad range of knowledge, skills, and capabilities that are needed for life and work and that are typically build through quality education. Countries that fail to invest con
