The World Bank Open Knowledge Repository
The World Bank is the largest single source of development knowledge. The World Bank Open Knowledge Repository (OKR) is The World Bank’s official open access repository for its research outputs and knowledge products.
Search the OKR ...
Search tip: Use quotation marks around exact phrases
Total publications: 37,130
Featured Publications
Recently Added
Publication Tourism Research Study on Yachting Sector: Cabo Verde(Washington, DC: World Bank, 2024-04-23) World BankThe study aims to determine the opportunity for Cabo Verde in yacht tourism and provide investment and policy recommendations for Cabo Verde to achieve its potential in this sector. Cabo Verde is a relative newcomer in the yacht tourism industry. With only one marina in the country, the industry is still nascent. Still, there is opportunity for Cabo Verde to grow and succeed in yacht tourism. In this context, a team of yacht and marine tourism expects conducted this research study looking at: (i) demand for yacht tourism globally; (ii) current state of infrastructure, policy and marketing in Cabo Verde to support said demand; and (iii) international case studies of competitive destinations who have captured more of the yachting market.Publication Health Information Systems Assessment for Health Systems Strengthening in Bangladesh: Policy Brief(Washington, DC: World Bank, 2024-04-23) Asangansi, Ime; Mohammed-Roberts, Rianna; Hannan, Maksudul; Hulse, Matt; Nasim, AsibOver the last two decades, Bangladesh has made significant progress in improving its routine health information systems (HIS). The goal of the Bangladesh HIS is to provide accurate and timely health data required for effective decision making. The HIS thus plays a crucial role in strategic planning and is an essential component of sound program development, implementation, and monitoring, upon which improved health outcomes depend. Indeed, Bangladesh has recorded notable progress across a range of health outcomes, especially the maternal and child health outcomes over the last two decades. However, the COVID-19 pandemic can derail progress. Decades of progress in developing the health system as well as the HIS can potentially be affected. Generating adequate evidence from a properly functioning HIS is important in guiding the country’s continuous efforts to mitigate against adverse effects and sustaining progress. In this context, understanding the impact of COVID-19 on essential health and nutrition services (EHNS) including the data on key indicators at the national and sub-national levels (regional and district-wise) is a prerequisite for evidence-based policy making. Against this backdrop, an HIS assessment was commissioned with the primary objective of supporting the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MOHFW) in strengthening the quality of its routinely reported administrative data. Specifically, the assessment is focused on: (a) a review of the existing HIS at the two service delivery channels of the MOHFW, Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) and the Directorate General of Family Planning (DGFP); and (b) development of a roadmap for HIS strengthening considering long term sustainability and a culture of information use as major goals.Publication Empowering Bangladesh’s Youth through Adolescent Health: Policy Brief(Washington, DC: World Bank, 2024-04-23) World BankAdolescence is a dynamic period of biological development and social change, and also a period when adolescent girls are at risk of school dropout, early marriage, pregnancy, and gender-based violence. Adolescents have the highest unmet need for family planning in Bangladesh, and married adolescents have a significantly lower contraceptive prevalence rate than other age groups, leading to a high adolescent fertility rate. The Government of Bangladesh developed a national strategy for adolescent health 2017-2030 and a costed action plan to improve adolescent health, including sexual and reproductive health. The Strategy addresses overall health needs of adolescents, including menstrual hygiene management, prevention of violence and mental health. The Government of Bangladesh is currently implementing the 4th Health, Population and Nutrition Sector Program which includes support for a school-based adolescent health and nutrition program. Furthermore, programme implementers often work in silos and focus on single platforms, i.e. at the health facility, school, or community levels. Presently adolescents receive sexual and reproductive health information and services largely from private sector providers with variable quality.Publication Circular Business Model for Vanadium Use in Energy Storage(Washington, DC: World Bank, 2024-04-23) World BankThis report examines the potential of circular business models for vanadium, focusing on the leasing model for Vanadium Redox Flow Batteries (VRFB). VRFBs are posited to become increasingly significant in the decarbonization of power systems due to their unique attributes as a grid-scale energy storage solution—characterized by long duration, modularity, and site independence. While the report does not delve into the technological advancements or energy-specific applications of VRFBs, it does underscore their economic and climate sustainability benefits. Additionally, the report discusses how innovative business models, particularly leasing, can overcome the challenge of high initial costs and promote broader adoption of VRFBs. The leasing model is presented as one of several feasible strategies to facilitate the deployment of VRFBs in the energy storage market.Publication Malaysia Economic Monitor - Bending Bamboo Shoots: Strengthening Foundational Skills (April 2024)(Washington, DC: World Bank, 2024-04-23) World BankAs Malaysia strives to become a high-income economy, the need for advanced and specialized skills will be crucial to maintain its economic competitiveness. Sophisticated skills, whether cognitive, technical or socio-emotional, are built on strong foundational skills. Malaysia has expanded early childhood education and achieved near universal primary education with remarkable equity in resources and student experiences. Part 1 of this Malaysia Economic Monitor (MEM) presents a review of recent economic developments and a macroeconomic outlook. Part 2 begins by outlining the learning outcomes challenge and identifying the bottlenecks that the Malaysian education system faces in improving learning outcomes. This section attempts to understand why overall learning outcomes in Malaysia are low relative to expectation, with low-income students doing especially poorly. Reflecting this, the special thematic topic identifies the steps that can be taken to improving foundational skills and learning outcomes in Malaysia.