World Bank Group Archives

The Archives preserves the institutional memory of the World Bank Group and provides public access to records of the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD) and the International Development Association (IDA).

About Us

Profile

New! Development Reflections: Mike James - Exploring Health and Fitness at the World Bank Group

The newest subject of our Development Reflections series is Mike James! James discusses the role of fitness in the World Bank Group and the changes he has seen as head of the Fitness Center.
Announcement

World Bank Group Archives Reading Room Holiday Closure

The World Bank Group Archives reading room will be closed from November 27 to November 29, 2024 and from December 23, 2024 to January 10, 2025.
Discovery Tool

New Events Added to the World Bank Group Historical Timeline

The WBG Archives has added new events to our Historical Timeline, including historical events, such as first development loan and President Wolfensohn's "Cancer of Corruption" speech, as well as more recent events covering President Malpass's presidency.
Discovery Tool

Take a Look! Country Historical Profiles Website Launched

The Archives' new Country Historical Profiles website offers a dynamic view of WBG membership over time and profiles of every Bank Group country member, past and present. Profiles include membership information, first loans, important events, economic reports, lists of Country Directors and Executive Directors, and much, much more!
Exhibit

Mrs. Bertha F. Wilson: Reflections on a Career, an Institution, and a City

To mark Black History Month (BHM) this year, the World Bank Group (WBG) Archives turns its attention to Bertha Wilson, recently retired WBG Archivist and author of the previous articles in our BHM series.
Podcast

WBG Archives Featured on EABH Podcast

WBG Archives Manager April Miller joined the European Association for Banking and Financial History (EABH) podcast to discuss how the World Bank Group has evolved over time and what makes the Bank's Archives unique. Take a listen!

Flagship Discovery Tools

Archives Catalog

The Archives Catalog contains archival descriptions and provides access to digitized records.

Photo Catalog

The Photo Catalog provides access to thousands of photos relating to World Bank operations, presidents, official signings, and more.

Oral History Program

The Oral History Program website contains transcripts, summaries, and audio clips of interviews with former World Bank staff.

Country Historical Profiles

Track World Bank membership over time and access historical profiles for every member country.

Archives Spotlight

Exhibit

Bretton Woods and the Birth of the Bank

On July 1, 1944, delegates from forty-four nations met in Bretton Woods, New Hampshire to agree on a new system of international cooperation. Learn more about this historic meeting and view folder lists of related archival records.

website

WBG Web Archives

The Web Archives provides access to World Bank websites that have been discontinued or significantly updated. Archived sites date from 1998 to the present.

Video

Uncover the Treasures of the Archives

This short promotional video describes the possibilities available to researchers when they “jump in and explore” the holdings of the World Bank Group Archives.

Website

Documents and Reports

Access Bank Group-authored reports, including Board Documents, Economic and Sector Work reports, project documents, and publications and research.

Website

Country Director Database

Contains country director data from 1972 to 2020.

Website

Projects & Operations

Provides contextual information for each World Bank project, past and present, as well as a folder list of archival records that relate to each project.