This year, the annual Doing Business Report – by far the most anticipated and cited World Bank publication – celebrates its 15th year. Starting in 2003, the fledgling report, which covers about…

Stefka Slavova |

With every calamity comes an opportunity: to rebound and rebuild stronger than before. The economies of Central Asia faced such an opportunity following the major economic shock they experienced…

Lilia Burunciuc |

“I refuse to be seen in the lesser light of society and aim to be a trail-blazer.” From left-right: Leroy Philips, Yaa Oppong and Charlotte McClain-Nhlapo (Photo: Brandon Payne / World Bank) Last…

M. Yaa Oppong, Leroy Phillips |

Rainwater harvesting for drip irrigation, Lake Victoria, Tanzania. Photo credit: Wisions.net Everybody depends on it; there is no substitute for it if we run out; in some places, it’s more…

Jonas Jägermeyr |

We all have regular bills to pay for the ubiquitous services we consume – whether they be for utilities (water, heating, electricity etc.), credit cards, memberships, or car payments.  But, not…

Georgia Harley, Svetozara Petkova |

Data shows that huge swaths of populations in developing countries are not learning to read. Scaling up early reading interventions will be a first step toward addressing these high illiteracy…

Harry A. Patrinos, Jimmy Graham, Sean Kelly |

While more ECA program countries are participating in the PISA assessment of 15-year-old students' skills, education poverty in these countries has only slightly declined since 2000. (Photo:…

Cristian Aedo, Katia Herrera Sosa |

A prevention program against crime and violence in Zacatecoluca, El Salvador, supports sporting activities for the children from this municipality. Photo: Victoria Ojea/World Bank

Jorge Familiar |

Across the Europe and Central Asia region today, policymakers are confronted daily with a wide range of development challenges and decisions, but the potential impacts of adverse natural events…

Alanna Simpson, Joaquin Toro |