Development Research Group

The 11th Conference of the Society for the Study of Economic Inequality (ECINEQ) will take place in Washington, DC from July 9 to July 11, 2025 with keynote speakers Daron Acemoglu, Garance Genicot, Debra Ray, and Nora Lustig.

The ECINEQ conference provides an important international forum for researchers whose work focuses on economic inequality and related fields, bringing together a comprehensive exchange of perspectives. A call for papers is open until February 15, 2025.

Global goods trade accelerated in the five months from July through November amid strong US economic growth and a spurt in demand fueled by expectations of higher import tariffs. Trade in services expanded further in the July to September period, and international tourist arrivals recovered to exceed pre-pandemic levels. A measure of stress in global supply chains rose in December to the highest level since March 2022, driven by the extended rerouting of vessels around the Cape of Good Hope and the increase in trade volumes. Freight rates rose at a slower pace.

The 9th Urbanization and Development Conference on Urban Economics in Action: Addressing African Cities' Challenges will bring together academics, policy makers, and development practitioners to discuss how economics research can help inform urban policy decisions and the allocation of scarce resources to build productive, livable, and sustainable cities in Africa.

Preregistration for the event is now open. Taking place in Cape Town, South Africa on June 11-12, 2025, this annual event is a key global forum for stakeholders working on urbanization—don't miss it! 

As World Bank President Ajay Banga has emphasized, jobs don’t exist in isolation—they require both prepared workers and accessible opportunities. 

This edition of Research Insights explores both sides of this challenge, examining supply-side policies that equip workers with skills while addressing barriers that constrain labor demand.

Research Insights aims to bridge the gap between complex research and practical application, fostering informed decision-making and effective policy design.