Located within the Development Economics Vice Presidency, the Development Research Group is the World Bank's principal research department. With its cross-cutting expertise on a broad range of topics and countries, the department is one of the most influential centers of development research in the world.
The Development Research Group at a Glance
What's New
Event May 05, 2025
The Journal of International Economics, Banque de France, Centre for Economic Policy Research, World Bank, and University of Surrey invite you to the inaugural edition of the International Seminar on Trade (ISoT). ISoT focuses on recent advances in empirical, theoretical, and quantitative international trade.
The inaugural edition of ISoT will take place on May 5-6, 2025 at World Bank headquarters in Washington, DC.
Report Launch Mar 13, 2025
A new report from the World Bank Group, Financing Firm Growth, explores the surge in capital market financing in low- and middle-income countries from 1990 to 2022. Drawing on data from nearly 80,000 firms worldwide, the study shows how capital markets have been a key driver of investment and job creation in developing countries.
Join authors Cesaire Meh (Manager, Macro and Market Risk, IFC) and Sergio Schmukler (Research Manager, Macroeconomics and Growth, Development Research Group) and other experts to learn the main approaches and policies driving this expansion.
Event Jun 11, 2025
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!
Publication Feb 19, 2025
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.
Latest Working Papers
Research Newsletter
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July 2024
Charting a Course for Prosperity in Sub-Saharan Africa
Fragility, conflict, and violence (FCV) and climate change represent formidable challenges for the continent, but the countries of Sub-Saharan Africa also have opportunities to build resilience and spur equitable growth.
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April 2024Accelerating Digital Development
Digital technologies offer the possibility of a new era in development. Investing in digital infrastructure and skills will be critical for countries that hope to realize the benefits.
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February 2024
Food and Nutrition Security
What will it take for low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) to develop systems that can sustain high-quality nutrition, even during economic shocks?
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Multimedia
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Jan 28, 2025
Purchasing Prosperity: The Economics of Government Procurement
Government procurement is big business, typically accounting for 10 to 20 percent of annual GDP depending on the country and year. Policymakers often view procurement systems as a powerful industrial policy tool to ...
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Nov 26, 2024Policy Research Talk: Designing Better Green Finance
Economist Federica Zeni highlighted new research insights that can help global stakeholders design better regulatory and financial mechanisms to reduce carbon emissions and promote sustainable investments.
