Welcome to the Spring 2019 edition of the World Bank's Madagascar Economic Update, which presents recent economic developments and our medium-term outlook. The economy has continued to perform well, with growth in 2018 estimated at 5.2 percent, above regional and global averages. External demand...

This note attempts to identify the factors associated with differences in overall school performance and efficiency. It draws on data from the Philippines Public Education Expenditure Tracking and Quantitative Service Delivery Study (PETS-QSDS), which tracked public education spending and...

The report summarizes the findings of an allocative efficiency analysis to support Senegal's national HIV response. Senegal has recently developed a National HIV Strategic Plan (NSP) (2014-17) and a Global Fund concept note (2015-17). The Government of Senegal would like to mobilize additional...

Benefiting from successful economic transformation after independence and the start of EU accession negotiations, economic activity in Montenegro has been solid, supporting the rise in incomes their convergence with the ones in the European Union. Inflation has been modest and kept in check....

Eswatini's economy has been characterized by persistent low growth, high fiscal deficits, and unprofitable state-owned enterprises (SOEs). Without significant reform, the country is unlikely to achieve its socioeconomic aspirations, and poverty and unemployment are likely to remain high. These...

Armenia's fiscal performance has improved during the past two decades, supported by reforms. Revenue collection has converged with income and regional peers, overall spending levels have remained prudent, and debt levels remain sustainable. Fiscal policy has been counter-cyclical and progressive...

The Government of Uganda (GoU) with support from the World Bank Group has conducted a Public Expenditure Review (PER) of the health sector as part of the broader PER which also covers macro-fiscal adjustment, education, public investment management, and intergovernmental fiscal transfers. The...

Transitioning to a more knowledge- and technology-based economy will be critical if Bulgaria is to achieve convergence with its European peers in terms of economic productivity and living standards. The coming year presents an important opportunity for Bulgaria to improve its support for...

The Palestinian health system suffers from chronic challenges related to protracted conflict and limited health system inputs, coupled with a high burden of non-communicable diseases (NCD). Over 75 percent of the disease burden is attributable to NCD, particularly cancers, diabetes,...