Trade barriers can affect employment outcomes of men and women differently, particularly in countries where working men and women are concentrated in different sectors. A new World Bank study from…

Gayatri Koolwal, Bernard Haven |

With the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), world leaders made a bold pledge in 2015 to leave no one behind on the path of development by 2030. Half-way to the target date, some 22 countries…

Samuel Kofi Tetteh Baah, Christoph Lakner, Umar Serajuddin |

Though the South Asia Region (SAR) contains just eight countries, it accounts for almost a quarter of the world’s population, but it also carries an increasing share of global debt. What's…

Prateek Samal, Anthony Tin Yu To |

Economic gender-disaggregated data reveals inequalities between women and men, helping us to get a clearer picture of the challenges and disadvantages that women face at work. Learn more about the…

Ayago Wambile, Anna Tabitha Bonfert, Alina Kalle, Heather Moylan, Miriam Muller |

The labor market for Bangladeshi youth presents a growing challenge amidst demographic pressures and a need for creating more and better jobs. While informal sector creates significant jobs, the…

Nicole Klingen |

Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan. Rapid increase in defaults poses a threat to financial stability of the two economies. From a social standpoint, excessive debt can decrease households’ disposable…

Fernando Dancausa, Martin Melecky |

Spanning across the border between Bangladesh and India, there exists the Sundarban. With 10,000 square kilometers, it is the largest single track of mangrove forest remaining in the world.

Patrick Smytzek, Bushra Nishat |

The World Bank-financed Recovery and Advancement of Informal Sector Employment (RAISE) Project has been supporting the Government of Bangladesh provide services that can enhance earning…

Nushin Subhan |

Looking back on 2023, here are 5 key takeaways on regional cooperation in South Asia.

Cecile Fruman |

A look back at South Asia’s year in 10 blogs. These blogs spotlight stories of resilience and innovation, and explore issues critical to the region such as air pollution, climate change, women’s…

Adnan Siddiqi, Trishna Thapa |