The last decade of the 20th century witnessed striking progress in the developing world and at the same time, it also saw stagnation and setbacks. Economic growth is key to development both in its pace and also in its quality. 'The Quality of Growth' is a collection of essays in an ongoing research project. The book looks at the 'World Development Report 1991: The Challenge of Development' and examines how far we have progressed at the turn of the millennium. According to the report, there are four factors especially relevant for poverty outcomes: - distribution, - sustainability, -...

Although it achieved independence in 1947, Pakistan still has not succeeded in integrating its diverse peoples into a nationas its short yet turbulent history vividly demonstrates. The nation's search for stability is traced in this revised and updated introduction to Pakistan's political, economic, and social development. New chapters detail political developments since 1991, including the elections of 1993 and 1996. Economic changes, including the financial crisis that led to the fall of Benazir Bhutto's government in 1996, are given particular attention. Also included is an extensive...

Health indicators in developing countries have shown significant improvement in the last 50 years. People are living longer, fewer children and their mothers die in childbirth, and many diseases have been controlled and some eliminated. However, the health status of individuals in these countries remains below its potential level, and many people lack access to suitable health care and health-promoting services. There is still much to be achieved in the promotion of health care and well-being of individuals in the developing world. In recent years, the efficient and equitable provision of...

Domestic government debt markets play a critical role in managing public debt effectively and reducing the vulnerability of developing countries to financial crises. Many aspects of debt markets--money, primary, and secondary markets; a diversified investor base; and sound securities custody and settlement systems and regulation--interact in complex ways and are affected by previous policies and developments. 'Developing the Domestic Government Debt Market: From Diagnostics to Reform Implementation' draws insights from a joint pilot program set up by the World Bank and International Monetary...

The authors examine the challenges facing Africas youth in their transition from school to working life, and propose a policy framework for meeting these challenges. Topics covered include the effect of education on employment and income, broadening employment opportunities, and enhancing youth capabilities. The book includes a CD-ROM of case studies of four countries and household data on 13 countries.

Early childhood, from birth through school entry, was largely invisible worldwide as a policy concern for much of the twentieth century. Children, in the eyes of most countries, were 'appendages' of their parents or simply embedded in the larger family structure. The child did not emerge as a separate social entity until school age (typically six or seven). 'Africa's Future, Africa's Challenge: Early Childhood Care and Development in Sub-Saharan Africa' focuses on the 130 million children south of the Sahel in this 0-6 age group. This book, the first of its kind, presents a balanced...

Once one of the world's largest staple food producers, Angola is now known as a major oil exporter--the second largest producer in sub-Saharan Africa. Angola is also the world's fourth largest producer of rough diamonds in terms of value, with the potential to become one of the leading global diamond producers. In addition to oil and diamonds, the country is well endowed with agricultural resources which remain mostly untapped. However, despite the country's significant natural wealth, a prolonged civil war, the rapid development of the oil sector, and the policies pursued after Independence...

The 'Forests Sourcebook' provides practical operations-oriented guidance for forest sector engagement toward the goals of poverty reduction, conservation and economic development. Intended to guide World Bank lending activities and projects, the 'Forests Sourcebook' offers information useful to a broad audience of practitioners, government agencies, and non-governmental organizations. The 'Sourcebook was developed in partnership with members of the Collaborative Partnership on Forests, including the Food and Agriculture Organization. The 'Sourcebook' provides background on key issues, lessons...

Climate change remains a global challenge requiring international collaborative action. Another area where countries have successfully committed to a long-term multilateral resolution is the liberalization of international trade. Integration into the world economy has proven a powerful means for countries to promote economic growth, development, and poverty reduction. The broad objectives of the betterment of current and future human welfare are shared by both global trade and climate regimes. Yet both climate and trade agendas have evolved largely independently through the years, despite...

Sustainable poverty reduction and equitable economic development rest on the firm foundation of the rule of law. On the domestic front, countries must engage in legal reform in order to maximize the benefits of globalization, increase efficiency in business transactions, improve the way governments deliver essential services, and facilitate access to an effective justice system. Internationally, new rules are needed to face global threats such as money laundering, destabilizing capital movements, communicable diseases, and attacks on the environment. The first volume of The World Bank...