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: 38,911
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Publication Reclaiming the Lost Century of Growth: Building Learning Economies in Latin America and the Caribbean(Washington, DC: World Bank, 2025-06-06) Maloney, William F.; Cirera, Xavier; Ferreyra, Maria MartaLatin America and the Caribbean has lost not decades but a century of growth due to its inability to learn—to identify, adapt, and implement the new technologies emerging since the Second Industrial Revolution. Superstars like Argentina, Chile, and Uruguay fell behind peers like France and Germany, while the entire region retrogressed in industries it once dominated and was unable to take advantage of new opportunities that propelled similarly lagging countries to high-income status. The report shows that this remains the case today as the region’s firms continue to lag in assimilating new technologies. However, it argues that Latin America and the Caribbean can reclaim the lost century by building learning economies, creating the human capital, institutions, and incentives needed to increase the demand for knowledge, facilitate the flow of new ideas, and foment the process of experimentation. "This outstanding book tackles one of Latin America’s greatest development puzzles: its failure to build high-income economies. The authors present a comprehensive theory placing knowledge—its creation, assimilation, and use—at the core of the explanation. Drawing on cutting-edge research, they meticulously document the empirical significance of each element and weave the threads together with remarkable precision, leaving no loose ends. In addition, they examine the missed opportunities that could have reshaped Latin America’s trajectory, advocating for a new knowledge-driven approach to industrial policy. A definitive reference on Latin American development, this book is essential reading for scholars, policy makers, and anyone invested in the region’s economic future." — Diego Comin, Professor of Economics, Dartmouth College "Nearly a century ago, Joseph Schumpeter highlighted the importance of the creation, application, and dissemination of knowledge for the prosperity of nations. And across the century that followed, numerous high-growth countries have confirmed his path to success. But, sadly, most of Latin America and the Caribbean has not. In this magnificent new book, readers will find data, information, theory, and arguments that explain why. More importantly, by examining the mechanics of knowledge assimilation and creation at the center of the “innovation machine” that drives growth, interested readers will find in this text a wide variety of tools and mechanisms adapted to our local conditions to boost the region’s economic prosperity." — José Miguel Benavente, Chief Executive Officer, Chilean Economic Development Agency (CORFO)Publication The Earlier the Better? Cash Transfers for Drought Response in Niger(Washington, DC: World Bank, 2025-06-06) Pople, Ashley; Premand, Patrick; Dercon, Stefan; Vinez, Margaux; Brunelin, StephanieClimatic shocks exacerbate consumption volatility and seasonality. When facing fluctuations in labor needs and prices, low-income rural households may rationally increase their consumption during specific seasons rather than maintaining it constant throughout the year. This makes the optimal timing of policy responses to shocks ambiguous. This paper examines the impact of varying the timing of cash transfers in response to drought in Niger, leveraging satellite-based triggers for a faster response before the lean season. A randomized controlled trial compares large early transfers delivered before the lean season, a traditional humanitarian response during the lean season, and smaller regular transfers throughout the year. The results show that large early transfers yield greater net benefits on economic welfare and psychological well-being before and during the lean season compared to a traditional humanitarian lean season response. The large early transfers also tend to have larger effects than the year-long transfers. These welfare differences do not persist after the lean season and nine months later. The early timing of transfers shifts borrowing behavior but has no discernible impact on livelihoods. The findings demonstrate the value of sufficiently large early transfers in mitigating the effects of a severe drought in presence of seasonal fluctuations in labor needs and prices.Publication Nepal - Country Partnership Framework for the Period of FY2025-2031(Washington, DC: World Bank, 2025-06-06) World Bank; International Finance Corporation; Multilateral Investment Guarantee AgencyThis Country Partnership Framework (CPF) outlines the strategic approach to the WBG's proposed engagement in Nepal for FY25-31. The design and priorities of this CPF are informed by a comprehensive analytical and evaluation program, 4 a broad-based consultative process, and, critically, the Government of Nepal's 16th Development Plan (FY24/25-28/29) which lays out its national development priorities. Two critical development challenges: (i) job-creating growth and (ii) resilience to natural disasters, including those caused or exacerbated by climate change - are the foundation upon which the World Bank Group (WBG) is building its FY25-FY31 engagement. The CPF will span a seven-year cycle, with the first five coinciding with Nepal’s 16th Development Plan. Although the main challenges remain broadly the same as in the previous CPF, this CPF incorporates several shifts based on the WBG evolution and lessons learned. It builds on two principles: an exclusive focus on two development challenges - job-creating growth and resilience to 9 natural disasters (Principle 1) and balancing ambition for transformation and the need for near-term results (Principle 2). The CPF uses the three standard selectivity criteria: (i) WBG Mission to end extreme poverty and boost shared prosperity on a livable planet; (ii) Country development goals and demand; and (iii) WBG Capacity and Competence.Publication Towards Clean Air in Nepal: Benefits, Pollution Sources, and Solutions(Washington, DC: World Bank, 2025-06-06) World BankHazardous air pollution poses significant health and economic challenges for Nepal. Air pollution raises public health concerns in Nepal, particularly in the country’s two geographic hotspots: the Kathmandu Valley and the Terai (southern plain areas bordering India). In these two areas, the annual average particulate matter (PM) (i.e. PM of less than 2.5 micrometers in diameter, which is the most critical air pollutant) concentrations reach 37 and 39 µg/m3, respectively. This exposure is between seven to eight times higher than the World Health Organization (WHO) guideline value of 5 µg/m3. These levels of air pollution shorten the average life expectancy of Nepal’s residents by more than three years, and lead to almost 26,000 premature deaths each year. Beyond health impacts, poor air quality leads to reduced labor productivity and negatively impacts tourism (lower visibility of the Himalayas and cancelled flights). Overall, poor air quality is estimated to cost the equivalent of more than six percent of Nepal’s gross domestic product (GDP) each year. The main objectives of this report are to identify the levels, patterns, and sources of air pollution in Nepal, assess its health and economic impacts, and present solutions to improve air quality. The recommendations are based on a foundational diagnostic review of Nepal’s existing air quality management actions. The report aims to provide comprehensive insights and actionable policy options for the government, stakeholders, and the public to support urgent and effective interventions.Publication Country Guidance for Navigating Carbon Markets(Washington, DC: World Bank, 2025-06-06) World Bank; A6IP; GGGI; GIZ; ICVCM; UNDP; UNFCCC; VCMIAs a follow-up to the "Navigating Decisions in Carbon Markets" framework, this Guidance Document helps host countries develop a strategic approach for engaging with international carbon markets. It is structured into seven modules and is designed to help countries explore and answer fundamental questions on their participation in international carbon markets. It aims to help countries unlock the potential these markets offer to mobilize financing to support climate and wider developmental objectives, while managing risks. It identifies options, evaluates their strengths and weaknesses, and supports informed decision making. The Guidance also aims to address fragmentation in the capacity building landscape and was co-developed with the Paris Agreement Article 6 Implementation Partnership (A6IP), the Global Green Growth Institute (GGGI), the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ), the Integrity Council for the Voluntary Carbon Market (ICVCM), the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), and the Voluntary Carbon Markets Integrity Initiative (VCMI).