The COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated existing vulnerabilities and inequalities in Caribbean society, including with regard to access to information and communication technologies (ICTs) and education services, food insecurity, and the situation of women and girls given the significant increase...

KEY ISSUES Context. Growth remains strong driven by robust exports, tourism, and construction, despite the recent floods and some slowdown during the 2013 national election. The outlook is favorable with renewed reform momentum after the elections but slow growth in Europe, the U.S. tapering,...

KEY ISSUES Context: Solomon Islands has achieved considerable gains in development and macroeconomic stability in recent years. However, the country is at an important juncture—with both security and development assistance being scaled down by donors, it needs to become more self-reliant. In...

KEY ISSUES Economic context. Growth was strong in 2012, and the economy is overheating from expansionary macroeconomic policies. The current account deficit has deteriorated significantly, a product of a currency appreciation in real effective terms, a growing fiscal deficit, and strong domestic...

KEY ISSUES Context: Growth in recent decades has been sluggish owing to persistent political turmoil, external shocks, and slow progress on structural reforms. Unemployment at nearly 9 percent continues to be stubbornly high, with youth and underemployment at significantly higher rates. The...