Beyond fragmentation: Building self-reliance in a shifting aid landscape

The global development landscape is undergoing seismic shifts. Foreign aid, a critical lifeline for billions, is shrinking, after becoming fragmented at an alarming rate over the

Adult skills and productivity: New evidence from PIAAC 2023

Adult skills play a crucial role in shaping productivity. This column uses data from the 2023 OECD Survey of Adult Skills to analyse the relationship

Does index insurance really work for smallholder farmers?

Traditional insurance for smallholder farmers in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) is prohibitively expensive. Serving rural and remote areas requires costly on-site visits to assess

Part-time work slows the narrowing of France’s lifetime gender earnings gap

France has narrowed its gender lifetime earnings gap, but has not managed closed it. Despite legal guarantees, French women still earn 30% less than men

Employment protection legislation reforms and the rising cost of job loss

A widely cited argument in favour of easing employment protection rules is that greater flexibility in hiring and firing can lead to increased job matching

Developing world cities: Poverty traps versus pathways to prosperity

In higher-income countries, urban proximity has been shown to enhance workers’ skills and income, but less is known about low- and middle-income countries. This column