Malnutrition is crippling Bolivia, afflicting approximately one in four babies born there each year. Despite high annual expenditures on improving nutrition and food security, and notwithstanding some stunning successes in the past two decades, the fundamental problem is still not improving. This book begins by defining the nature and extent of the malnutrition problem in Bolivia, its causes, and its occurrence relative to wealth, location, and ethnicity. It goes on to identify the underlying reasons for the failed response, asserting that the most fundamental barrier to progress is a general...
Malnutrition is crippling Bolivia, afflicting approximately one in four babies born there each year. Despite high annual expenditures on improving nut...
Rapid and sustained growth, in excess of 5% per annum, is key for sustained poverty reduction in Yemen. However, the achievement of such a target is challenging and necessitates aggressive changes in the overall business environment and governance structure along with the removal of certain obstacles to growth. This Country Study reviews Yemen's economic performance and evaluates the government's medium- and long-term development plans. It offers a detailed analysis of the major structural characteristics of the Yemeni economy and the primary economic sectors with the goal of identifying...
Rapid and sustained growth, in excess of 5% per annum, is key for sustained poverty reduction in Yemen. However, the achievement of such a target is c...
Many of the problems that Cali is currently experiencing are an indication of Colombia's complicated social economic situation. The high levels of crime, increasing poverty, and a distressed financial situation are signs that Cali has been hit harder than other large cities. In order to assist Cali, the World Bank has, along with the city of Cali, collaborated on a City Development Strategy (CDS). The aim of this report is to summarize the analytical work carried out as part of the City Development Strategy (CDS) process and to put forth for further discussion an initial set of...
Many of the problems that Cali is currently experiencing are an indication of Colombia's complicated social economic situation. The high levels of cri...
After the break-up of the Soviet Union, the economic contraction in the Kyrgyz Republic was among the worst experienced in the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS). Their output declined by fifty percent between the years 1991 and 1995. The fiscal costs to the country were nothing short of disastrous. Just as the Kyrgyz Republic was about to decisively restore growth and macroeconomic stability, a series of natural disasters and a regional crisis caused another fiscal setback. This report details a set of measures which, if implemented, will restore fiscal stability to the country. It...
After the break-up of the Soviet Union, the economic contraction in the Kyrgyz Republic was among the worst experienced in the Commonwealth of Indepen...
This report considers a number of important issues including the reform in the national social security system, pension regime for government workers, funded pension plans to supplement the national social security system, and funded plans to guarantee pension benefits or to supplement them. It examines the inter-linkages and balance between them as well as suggesting remedies.
This report considers a number of important issues including the reform in the national social security system, pension regime for government workers,...
This report offers an overview of the challenges and opportunities in addressing the problem of HIV/AIDS in the Caribbean. It provides a snapshot of the HIV/AIDS epidemic in the region, gives examples of ways in which Caribbean countries and regional bodies such as the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) have responded to the epidemic, and discusses alternative actions for addressing the crisis. This book also highlights a range of strategies for donor coordination and cooperation in the region.
This report offers an overview of the challenges and opportunities in addressing the problem of HIV/AIDS in the Caribbean. It provides a snapshot of t...
The Czech Republic arrived at the end of the 1990s with an unfinished transformation agenda. Especially apparent were the lingering problems in the major banks and large segments of the corporate sector which led to an unsatisfactory economic performance. The root cause for the poor performance stems from the weak internal and external mechanisms of corporate governance. While the Czech government has made efforts to improve the situation, there are still elements of the restructuring agenda that remain largely absent. This report aims to assist the Czech authorities in their ongoing efforts...
The Czech Republic arrived at the end of the 1990s with an unfinished transformation agenda. Especially apparent were the lingering problems in the ma...
'Early retirement and lax eligibility for disability are bad for the economy because they reduce labor productivity and the supply of experienced workers, and they are bad for the system because they impose a heavy financial burden that makes it nonsustainable.' Costa Rica is at a turning point with respect to its social security system. While half the work force is covered and beneficiaries have fared well in the past, the pay-as-you-go (PAYG) pension system is unsustainable for the future. This publication describes the present pension system, its shortcomings, and defends the need for...
'Early retirement and lax eligibility for disability are bad for the economy because they reduce labor productivity and the supply of experienced work...
After being immersed in almost three decades of civil conflict, the prevailing peace and political stability in Ethiopia allowed its government to focus on rebuilding its economy. As an integral part of this undertaking, the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia is seeking to overhaul the landscape of human capital development in the country. This report discusses the situation and trends in education, health, nutrition, and population. It also examines the barriers to improvement from the points of view of Ethiopian households and public and private suppliers of services. It also attempts...
After being immersed in almost three decades of civil conflict, the prevailing peace and political stability in Ethiopia allowed its government to foc...
A combination of economic development, improved education, increased access to safe water, and improved basic health programs has enabled Honduras to improve the health status of its population over the last three decades an accomplishment of which the country can be justly proud. This paper examines the achievements of the Honduran health sector and discusses the challenges that need to be faced to modernize public sector financing, to improve public sector service provision, and to develop an appropriate policy and regulatory framework for pharmaceuticals and social security."
A combination of economic development, improved education, increased access to safe water, and improved basic health programs has enabled Honduras to ...