International Debt Statistics (IDS), a long-standing annual publication of the World Bank, features external debt statistics and analysis for the 120 low- and middle-income countries that report to the World Bank Debtor Reporting System. IDS 2021 includes (1) an overview analyzing global trends...

The COVID-19 (coronavirus) pandemic is causing the most severe global health and economic crisis in at least seven decades. In Egypt, the disruptions caused by the pandemic started in March 2020, and has since interrupted a period of macroeconomic stability, characterized by relatively high...

Bulgaria has achieved impressive economic performance over the last two decades. Nevertheless, recent growth of gross domestic product (GDP) and productivity has slowed since the global financial crisis, and the country faces medium- to long-term labor shortages and skills mismatches driven by...

The economic shock of the coronavirus outbreak has an unprecedented impact on public finances. Governments are implementing massive fiscal packages including both budgetary and nonbudgetary measures to fight the pandemic while receipts are sharply down. Communicating the financial consequences...

This case study showcases examples where the "G20 Principles for Quality Infrastructure Investment (QII)" have been operationalized in Japan`s urban infrastructure projects. It highlights Fukuoka City, one of the most prominent cities in Japan today. It reviews the city's efficient water...

This case study is showcases examples where the "G20 Principles for Quality Infrastructure Investment (QII)" have been operationalized in Japan`s urban infrastructure projects. It highlights Toyama City, which is now a global role model for compact city development and reviews the city's...

The economy of the Central African Republic (CAR) grew at a slower pace in 2019 compared to 2018. Still, it grew at 3.1 percent, year-onyear, in 2019, above the average of regional peers (1.6 percent) and countries affected by fragility, conflict, and violence (FCV) (2.7 percent). Despite...

This Indonesia Education Flagship Report examines ways to strengthen education reforms and boost the learning outcomes of all Indonesian students. It focuses on how the education system can deliver on the promise of human capital for Indonesia. The recommendations focus on protecting and...

After the return to democracy, Ghana achieved significant economic growth and poverty reduction. However, in recent years, the rate of poverty reduction has slowed, becoming insignificant after 2012. The largest reduction in poverty, 2 percent per year, was reached from 1991-1998. Subsequently,...

The Government of Uganda has been working to establish a new system of NCA. NCA is a standardized approach to measuring and valuing natural resources. It overcomes the limitations of traditional economic measurements, such as gross domestic product (GDP), that look primarily at income and not at...