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...

As a region, the Mashreq has seen more than its share of deaths, economic losses, and instability for the last decade. The region has braved massive economic and social shocks that would challenge even the most advanced economies in the world. The conflict in the Syrian Arab Republic has...

The 2020 Africa Country Policy and Institutional Assessment (CPIA) report covers the period from January to December 2019. The addition of Somalia brought the number of the region's International Development Association (IDA)-eligible countries to 39. The overall CPIA score for the region's 39...

South Sudan has suffered multiple shocks in 2020, potentially derailing an economic recovery and peace building process. The FY21 budget seeks to stabilize the economy, provide basic services, consolidate peace, and address Coronavirus (COVID-19) effects. While South Sudan is currently faced...

The economy of Chile, with a total population of approximately 19.493.185 by 2021, is undergoing an adjustment phase after a remarkable expansion in 2021, with real gross domestic product (GDP) growth dropping to 2.4 percent in 2022 due to normalized consumption and contractionary policies. This...

The law in Saint Lucia provides for the same legal status and rights for women as for men, requires equal pay for equal work, and provides equal treatment of men and women for family property, nationality, and inheritance. Its economy is heavily dependent on tourism and services, both of which...

In Brazil, violence against women and girls (VAWG), which is a manifestation of gender-based violence (GBV), is a major concern. Intimate partner violence is the most common form of violence. The COVID-19 outbreak in early 2020 added new layers of complexity to the already unsettling GBV...

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...

Honduras has a small and informal economy that is predominantly agricultural, but its strategic location, solid industrial base, ample resources, and young population indicate potential for inclusive and resilient economic growth. Despite the growth, Honduras remains one of the poorest and most...