Picture children’s faces glowing with curiosity as they read after sundown, and families daring to dream beyond the barriers of poverty and exclusion. The World Bank Group (WBG) Scorecard transforms these scenes into data, tracing journeys of progress, setbacks, and hope in client economies and across the globe. With the latest insights from 12 Client Context and Vision indicators, this edition invites you to witness stories that blaze with resilience and determination—reminding us that behind every number lies a lesson in courage and possibility.
#1 Poverty: The Challenge Persist
A mother in rural Africa wakes before dawn, stretching her meager resources to feed her children and keep them in school. Her daily struggle echoes in millions of households worldwide.
10.3% of the world’s population—about 839 million people—still live in extreme poverty (see Poverty and Inequality Platform (PIP), for more information). Sub-Saharan Africa continues to drive the global figures, with extreme poverty affecting 46% of its population in 2024. The Middle East and North Africa region, which now includes Afghanistan and Pakistan, has the second-highest poverty rate, with roughly one in eight people living in extreme poverty. These numbers are a sobering reminder that progress against poverty is fragile and can be reversed by conflict, economic shocks, or climate disasters.
Figure 1. Global and Regional Poverty Trends (2000 – 2024).
#2 Electricity: Progress and Gaps
In a remote village, a student flips a switch and studies by electric light for the first time. For her, electricity means opportunity—a chance to learn, dream, and build a future.
In 2000, over a quarter of people in IDA and IBRD countries lacked electricity. By 2023, that number dropped below 10%. Yet, regional gaps remain: South Asia now enjoys near-universal access, while Sub-Saharan Africa lags behind. For millions, darkness still means missed opportunities. To address this, Mission 300 aims to provide electricity to 300 million people in Sub-Saharan Africa by 2030—about half of those currently living without power.
Figure 2. Access to Electricity.
#3 Financial Inclusion: Empowerment in Action
A woman in South Asia opens her first bank account. With it, she starts a small business, saves for her children’s education, and gains a new sense of independence.
A decade ago, only 42% of adults in WBG client countries had financial accounts. Today, it is 76%. South Asia’s transformation is striking: women’s account ownership soared from 27% to 83%. According to the Global Findex 2025, this surge in financial inclusion reflects not just policy success, but real empowerment—especially for women. The WBG Gender Strategy 2024-2030 Implementation Plan aims to build on this momentum, promoting digital and financial inclusion for all. Financial inclusion is changing lives, but gaps remain, especially for women and marginalized groups.
Figure 3. Financial Account Ownership by Region.
#4 Displacement: The Unequal Burden
A refugee family, forced from home by conflict, finds shelter in a low-income country already stretched thin. Their resilience is inspiring, but their journey is a call for global solidarity.
Over 123 million people are forcibly displaced by conflict, violence, or persecution. The burden, however, is far from evenly shared. Low-income economies host approx. 49 million forcibly displaced people, while lower (upper) middle-income economies host an additional approx. 25 (29) million. Concentration of forced displacement in resource-constrained settings underscores the urgency of strengthening inclusive national policies, expanding international support, and advancing long-term development solutions.
Figure 4. Forcibly Displaced People By Income Group and Economies (2024).
Why This Matters
The Scorecard’s data is more than a report—it’s a call to action. Timely, transparent statistics help us detect challenges, measure progress, and guide policy. As we move forward, let’s remember the faces behind the figures, and work together to ensure that no one is left overcharged—or left behind.
Table 1 summarizes the data updates for the Client Context and Vision indicators. Furthermore, the aggregates for all indicators have been updated, excluding the following indicators: access to reliable year-round transport, hectares of key ecosystems, people exposed to hazardous air quality, economies with increasing renewable natural capital per capita, and fish stocks within biologically sustainable levels.
Table 1. Summary of Data Updates for Vision and Client Context Indicators of the World Bank Group Scorecard.
The World Bank Group Scorecard is accessible via this page. The data can be further studied using the World Bank Group Scorecard Explorer.
Acknowledgements:
We thank our colleagues and collaborators for their valuable feedback and support. We are grateful to Alexandra Norris (DECFP), Anna Tabitha Bonfert (HGNDR), Diego Javier Ubfal (HGNDR), Samuel Kofi Tetteh Baah (DECDA), Christoph Lakner (DECDA), and Martha Celmira Viveros Mendoza (DECDA) for their contributions.
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