This study seeks to discern whether the current distribution of income determines the evolution of future income distribution and economic growth through fiscal policy. Fiscal policy consists of transfer payments or an income tax. Fiscal policy is determined by the level of development,...

This report summarizes key results from a 2012 survey of businesses in Papua New Guinea. It compares the results with the 2002 and 2007 surveys and shows that, while the business environment has improved since 2002, doing business in Papua New Guinea remains extremely challenging. Continued...

This study examines the potential of remittances for promoting economic growth and reducing poverty in Asian countries using data for more than 20 countries in the region for 1988-2007. The results indicate that remittances positively affect home country real gross domestic product (GDP) per...

In 2011, Uzbekistan celebrated 20 years of independence. The transition has not been smooth for any country in the Commonwealth of Independent States, and Uzbekistan, too, has experienced both positive and negative developments in gender equality. The status of women and men in Uzbekistan is...

This analysis is a follow-up to Transforming Tonga: A Private Sector Assessment. It assesses until early 2012 in reducing transaction costs and other barriers to growth identified in the 2008 private sector assessment. It concludes that Tonga has been one of the leading reformers in the Pacific...

Social enterprises hold the potential to make India’s spectacular growth story work better for its poor citizens. India’s rapidly growing economy has not managed to alleviate extreme poverty, which encompasses nearly half the country’s population. Reasons for this situation include...