Investing in the future: ensuring women-led small businesses can thrive
When we picture engines of economic growth and job creation, we tend to think of large multinational companies and global brands. Yet, in emerging and
From Strategic Investment to Tangible Results: Notable examples from the Human Capital Trust Fund
Two-thirds of the income gap between developed and developing countries can be attributed to disparities in human capital. Yet, budgets for critical human capital investments are
Precious metals retreat from record highs
Precious metal prices declined in 2026Q2 (q/q) after 14 consecutive months of gains through February, including a 24 percent increase in 2026Q1. By June, gold
Microfinance’s promise was oversold, not broken
The Wall Street Journal recently published a sobering account of microfinance’s shortcomings, documenting troubling cases of over-indebtedness, land loss, and borrower distress in countries such
Hedging interest rate risk when it matters: Evidence from Italian banks
Valuation losses can build quickly in response to higher interest rates, as demonstrated by the collapse of Silicon Valley Bank. This column shows that Italian
When trust in official statistics declines
Trust in official economic statistics has become an increasingly salient policy issue, including in the US where the Commissioner of the Bureau of Labor Statistics
China’s accession to the WTO increased pollution via coal powerplants, not exporters or their suppliers and consumers
As countries consider trade deals to foster development, the question of how trade impacts pollution keeps resurfacing. This column examines how China’s rapid entry into
AI, productivity, and work: Evidence from US firms
Real-time evidence from users can inform the current policy debates around artificial intelligence. This column reports on a survey of executives at typical US firms
Less focus on poverty reduction? An evaluation of the EU 2028-2034 development aid plan
European Union development aid is emphasising poverty reduction less and directing attention to other geopolitical priorities. As part of the planned European Union budget for
The impact of the US exit from free trade on trade cooperation elsewhere in the world
The large US tariffs announced in April 2025 led other countries to debate the best policy response. This column uses a multi-country model to study
