The World Bank Open Knowledge Repository
The World Bank Open Knowledge Repository (OKR) is The World Bank’s official open access repository for its research outputs and knowledge products.
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Total publications: 39,059
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Publication The Asymmetric Bank Distress Amplifier of Recessions(Washington, DC: World Bank, 2025-07-11) Kim, DohanOne defining feature of financial crises, evident in U.S. and international data, is asymmetric bank distress—concentrated losses on a subset of banks. This paper proposes a model in which shocks to borrowers’ productivity dispersion lead to asymmetric bank losses. The framework exhibits a “bank distress amplifier,” exacerbating economic downturns by causing costly bank failures and raising uncertainty about the solvency of banks, thereby pushing banks to deleverage. Quantitative analysis shows that the bank distress amplifier doubles investment decline and increases the spread by 2.5 times during the Great Recession compared to a standard financial accelerator model. The mechanism helps explain how a seemingly small shock can sometimes trigger a large crisis.Publication CPIA Africa, July 2025: Policies For Better Service Delivery(Washington, DC: World Bank, 2025-07-10) World BankIn 2024, public protests emphasized the urgent need for reforms in service delivery, focusing on efficiency and social justice amid tight fiscal conditions. The latest CPIA report notes that, despite a stable overall score, essential services must be strengthened for inclusive and sustainable growth. It highlights the need for government mobilization to address the needs of the African population in the face of limited external financing. While short-term economic improvements are noted, public dissatisfaction remains, underscoring the necessity for efficient service delivery.Publication Women’s and Girls’ Exposure to Gender-Based Violence in Southern Madagascar: Their Insights and Experience in the Aftermath of the 2019–2022 Drought(Washington, DC: World Bank, 2025-07-10) Rivelli, F.; Rakotoarindrasata, M.; de Berry, J.; Graybill, E.Between 2019 and 2022, Madagascar experienced an acute drought that triggered a chronic food security crisis, drawing justified attention to its nutritional and poverty-related impacts. However, local communities also perceived this period as one of social upheaval, where risks particularly for women and girls were heightened. In response, the World Bank initiated monitoring efforts to track perceived social changes during the drought, which revealed a noticeable spike in women’s and girls’ perceptions of increased gender-based violence (GBV) between 2020 and 2021, followed by a decline after the drought. This study provides a platform for the reflections of local communities in Southern Madagascar on the social position of women, the dynamics of GBV, and how the drought intensified these risks. It aims to capture local understanding, offer qualitative insights into why GBV was perceived to rise during this period, and explore the subjective factors behind this trend, while also contributing to existing knowledge gaps on the topic.Publication The Earlier the Better? Impact of Shock-responsive Monetary Transfers for Drought in Niger(Washington, DC: World Bank, 2025-07-10) World Bank; Mariana, Garcia Martinez; Lung, Felix; Pople, Ashley; Premand, Patrick; Vinez, MargauxThis brief highlights the impact of providing early transfers to respond to droughts shocks faster than the traditional response.Publication Study on Women’s Employment, Safety, and Mobility in the Maldives(Washington, DC: World Bank, 2025-07-10) World BankThe Maldivian economy relies heavily on tourism and fisheries; the labor gap persists. This study seeks to understand these dynamics and propose concrete solutions to foster gender-equitable value chains in both sectors, increase women's economic participation, and promote equitable growth. The study uses a mixed-methods approach to comprehensively analyze the factors influencing women's employment, safety, and mobility. Quantitative surveys engaged a representative sample of workers and employers in tourism and fisheries, ensuring gender balance. Surveys were supplemented with information from qualitative information, such as focus groups and interviews, to better understand the situation.