Places do well when they promote transformations along the dimensions of economic geography: higher densities as cities grow; shorter distances as workers and businesses migrate closer to density; and fewer divisions as nations lower their economic borders and enter world markets to take...

The Arab Spring protests marked the beginning of a new era in the Syrian Arab Republic in 2011. Minor public protests began almost immediately after the initial protests in Cairo in January 2011. The first large demonstrations began two months later in March, and the following months saw a...

The enterprise surveys focus on the many factors that shape the business environment. These factors can be accommodating or constraining for firms and play an important role in whether a country will prosper or not. An accommodating business environment is one that encourages firms to operate...

The Enterprise Surveys (ES) focus on many aspects of the business environment. These factors can be accommodating or constraining for firms and play an important role in whether an economy's private sector will thrive or not. An accommodating business environment is one that encourages firms to...

This report assesses the living conditions in Kazakhstan during 2001-2002, especially as concerning the poor. Based upon consultations with the Government, research institutes, and nongovernmental organizations, three key questions related to poverty were identified as critical to understanding...

Guyana faces several challenges, including poverty and high levels of inequality, ranking 114 out of 170 countries in the gender inequality index. Guyana faces significant challenges in addressing gender-based violence (GBV) and supporting women's economic empowerment. The pandemic has only...

The Pacific Observatory is a World Bank initiative to increase data availability and quality and to promote evidence-based policy decisions. This presentation utilizes data from the Pacific Observatory's high frequency phone surveys in Solomon Islands to detail socio-economic indicators related...

The Commonwealth of Dominica (Dominica) is a multiparty unicameral parliamentary democracy. According to data from the 2011 Census, the population has fallen in every census since 1981, standing now at some 73,000 people. As throughout the world, men are more active in the labor force than...