Since 1990 we have observed widely diverse patterns of broad structural change within developing countries. In several cases—most notably China, India, and some other Asian countries—globalization's promise has been fulfilled: high-productivity employment opportunities have expanded and structural change has contributed to overall growth. But in many other cases—in Latin America and Sub-Saharan Africa—globalization appears not to have fostered the desirable kind of structural change. Labor has moved in the wrong direction, from more productive to less productive activities, including, most notably, informality. This talk will focus on these developments, provide new evidence, and offer some interpretations.

The Development Economics Vice Presidency (DEC) launched its lecture series in April 2005 to bring distinguished academics to the Bank to present and discuss new knowledge on development. The purpose of the Lecture Series is to introduce ideas on cutting edge research, challenge and contribute to the Bank's intellectual climate, and reexamine current development theories and practices. The Lectures revisit issues of long-standing concern and explore emerging issues that promise to be central to future development discourse. The Lecture Series reflects DEC’s commitment to intellectual leadership and openness in embracing future challenges to reduce poverty.

The DEC Lecture Series is chaired by Kaushik Basu, Senior Vice President and Chief Economist, and includes a presentation and floor discussion.