The report is structured as follows. Chapter 1 discusses the labor market constraints facing different segments of the working-age population, which can inform how to make work attractive. Chapter 2 explores the factors that are discouraging older people from re-entering the labor market and the...

Serbia now has an exceptional policy opportunity to promote skills development and create a productive future workforce and a prosperous economy. With its population aging and the nature of work changing in a technologically transforming and globalizing economy, a highly skilled Serbian...

Because of its difficult starting position in transitioning to a market economy, so far macroeconomic policy in Serbia has mainly been concerned with achieving stability. At the start of its transition in 2001, Serbia was practically bankrupt, burdened with old overdue debt and huge arrears in...

Serbia is not growing as fast it could. Investment and productivity are low and slow growing; and the continuing large role of the state in the economy makes it difficult for the private sector to accelerate economic growth. Serbia is well-positioned to turn itself into a fast-growing,...

Although current growth rates are improving incomes in Serbia, they are not bringing the country closer to average living standards in the European Union fast enough. To reach European levels of prosperity, Serbia must embrace a new, ambitious agenda for growth. Serbia can become a fast-growing,...

The objective of this report is to provide a comprehensive data and evidence-based analysis of gender-based sex selection (GBSS) in Vietnam in terms of demographic projections and policy reforms to inform decision makers and program specialists on curbing sex imbalances at birth. Drawing from...

A small open economy, Benin has seen growth that is above average for the region. The volatility of high growth spells combined with low productivity growth has translated into limited gains in income per capita. Following its transition from low-income country to lower middle income country...

Developments in the Rwandan economy as of the first half of 2017 have been mixed. On the upside, Rwanda's external imbalances have eased on account of improvements in global commodity prices, global and regional strengthening of growth recovery, and the external adjustment the government...

Developments in the second half of 2017 indicate that the slowdown in Mozambique's economic performance may be taking hold, shifting this once fast-growing economy to a more modest pace of growth. GDP growth is expected to dip to 3.1 percent in 2017, despite substantial increases in coal and...

This document presents the Systematic Country Diagnostic (SCD) for the Republic of Burundi (Burundi). The SCD identifies the key challenges and opportunities for Burundi to accelerate progress in poverty reduction and shared prosperity in a sustainable manner, while acknowledging: (i) the need...