Nithin Umapathi is the Lead Economist and Program Leader for Human Development in Eastern Europe, based in Kyiv, Ukraine. In this role, he coordinates the World Bank’s program in Ukraine and Moldova's health, education, and social protection sectors. He leads key human development and social policy dialogue with government counterparts, civil society, and development partners.
Since joining the World Bank in 2009, Nithin has worked on a number of complex sectoral reform programs and lending activities in human development across diverse client countries in Europe, East Asia, and the Middle East. Nithin is a recognized expert in welfare system design, energy affordability, early childhood development, aging, and labor markets.
Nithin holds a Ph.D. in Economics from University College London. His numerous peer-reviewed publications include the Energy Journal, the Journal of Applied Econometrics, the Journal of Development Studies, and World Development, among others. His analysis and insights have been featured in media outlets such as the Economist, Financial Times, CCTV, the Edge, and the Brookings Institution.