Development Research Group

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Teacher with students
EVENT Sep 04, 2026

Over the last two decades, Latin America and the Caribbean has brought millions of adolescents into secondary education. But expanding access has not been enough: only about 1 in 5 young people (19%) complete secondary education with minimum proficiency in reading and math. Among the poorest youth, only about 1 in 20 (6%) achieve this.

How can this historic expansion be turned into better learning and real opportunities? As we await the new PISA results, we invite you to join the presentation of the World Bank’s new regional report on secondary education in Latin America and the Caribbean: Where Paths Divide: Transforming Secondary Education in Latin America and the Caribbean.

Postcard featuring the Raising Revenue Right Policy Research Report
POLICY RESEARCH TALK Sep 23, 2026

Governments across emerging markets and developing economies (EMDEs) face a growing fiscal challenge. Yet the challenge is not simply about how much revenue countries collect. Tax systems in most EMDEs are also inefficient and inequitable, leading to costly economic distortions while failing to adequately support vulnerable households.

Raising Revenue Right: A Roadmap for Domestic Resource Mobilization examines how countries can raise the revenue they need in ways that are more efficient, fair, and supportive of inclusive growth. 

On September 23, authors of the report and World Bank leaders, will discuss its key findings and present a practical roadmap for domestic resource mobilization, showing how advances in 𝘁𝗲𝗰𝗵𝗻𝗼𝗹𝗼𝗴𝘆, 𝘁𝗿𝗮𝗻𝘀𝗽𝗮𝗿𝗲𝗻𝗰𝘆, 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘁𝗿𝘂𝘀𝘁, the 3Ts, can help countries move toward the fiscal frontier.

WDR 2026 cover images
Publication Aug 04, 2026
WDR 2026: The Promise of Artificial Intelligence

At a time when development progress has slowed to its weakest pace in 75 years, the World Development Report 2026 explores how artificial intelligence can help developing economies accelerate growth and improve lives.

The report argues that countries do not need to build frontier AI models to benefit from the technology. Instead, they should focus on adopting, adapting, and advancing AI to meet local needs, languages, and institutions. From improving medical screening and agricultural advice to helping teachers create better lessons, AI is already delivering results.

Explore the full report and learn how AI can be a lifeline for developing economies.

ISOT 3rd edition
CALL FOR PAPERS Jan 10, 2027
The Journal of International Economics, LMU Munich, ifo, CESifo, World Bank, and CEPR invite submissions for the 3rd edition of the “International Seminar on Trade” (ISoT). The conference will take place on May 20-21, 2027 in Munich (Germany) and will feature a keynote address by Kalina Manova (UCL and CEPR).
 
The organizers welcome papers on recent advances in empirical, theoretical, and quantitative international trade. We also welcome papers in closely related fields—including economic geography, development and industrialization; technology, innovation and digital transformation; climate change and the environment; macroeconomics and finance; economic resilience and crisis management; and labor, inequality and social impacts—if they include a significant international trade component. Submitted papers should be motivated by real-world questions and firmly grounded in policy-relevant empirical evidence.

 

 

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    Research Newsletter

    Responding to the Global Shock from the War in the Middle East

    Since the outbreak of war, ship transits through the Strait of Hormuz have fallen by roughly 95 percent. The consequences are global: historic highs in energy prices, cascading cost increases in fertilizers, aluminum, and petrochemicals, and disruption of production and trade. The shock risks undoing years of hard-won development progress. World Bank Group research points to three policy imperatives: (1) Safeguard jobs and income today; (2) Prevent serious food shortages tomorrow; and (3) Protect the vulnerable from immediate suffering and longer-term loss of human capital.

    Resources:



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