The results of new direct price level comparisons across 148 countries in 2005 have led to large revisions of purchasing power parity exchanges rates, particularly for China and India. The recalculation of international and global inequalities, using the new purchasing power parity rates, shows...

This paper analyzes complementarities between different Millennium Development Goals, focusing on child mortality and how it is influenced by progress in the other goals, in particular two goals related to the expansion of female education: universal primary education and gender equality in...

The report reviews the Bank's development assistance to Lesotho, a poor country, of predominantly rural populations, landlocked and completely surrounded by, and economically dependent on, South Africa. Not surprisingly, a major development challenge for the country is that half the population...

Despite social, and economic diversity within the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region, social protection systems share common characteristics. This report develops a framework for a more integrated approach to social protection, and proposes general strategic lines of actions to guide the...

For the fiscal year ended June 30, 2004, the International Finance Corporation (IFC) expanded its sustainable development impact through private sector project financing operations and advisory activities. This year the Board of Directors approved a number of investments and maintained close...

Although a small agency, the Multilateral Investment Guarantee Agency (MIGA) has a broad mandate-to promote productive foreign direct investment (FDI) flows into developing countries. The Agency's results in fiscal 2004 were mixed. While the total amount of guarantees issued fell slightly, to...

For the fiscal year ended June 30, 2004, the International Finance Corporation (IFC) expanded its sustainable development impact through private sector project financing operations and advisory activities. This year the Board of Directors approved a number of investments and maintained close...

This study is the first independent evaluation of social fund projects by OED. It reviews the development effectiveness of social fund projects and draws implications for future Bank support to them. It responds to the interest of the World Bank's Board of Executive Directors for an independent...

The report discusses the Multilateral Investment Guarantee Agency's (MIGA) activities for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2000. Highlights discussed in this report include: 1) country membership; 2) guarantee operations; 3) MIGA's financial statements; and, 4) technical assistance services, i.e.,...

The report discusses the Multilateral Investment Guarantee Agency's (MIGA) activities for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2001. Highlights discussed in this report include: 1) country membership; 2) guarantee operations; 3) MIGA's financial statements; and, 4) technical assistance services,...