Households’ subjective expectations: Disagreement, common drivers, and reaction to aggregate shocks
Understanding how households interpret macroeconomic policy is vital to the effectiveness of central banks. This column demonstrates that the reactions of individual households frequently contradict
Powering the energy future of Europe and Central Asia
The prosperity and economic transformation of Europe and Central Asia (ECA) hinge on making energy reliable and affordable for all. Across the region, many countries
How developing countries can measure exposure to the EU’s carbon border adjustment mechanism
In January 2026, the European Union will require importers of certain carbon-intensive goods to pay for their products’ embodied carbon emissions. The policy, known as the
Why Childcare Matters for Women’s Jobs in the Agrifood Sector
“When I tried to find work in the handmade hammock industry, a traditional craft in my area, I only lasted two months because I had
Export strength does not equal tech strength: Rethinking EU comparative advantage
Amid geopolitical shocks, the EU is revisiting its industrial strategy. However, traditional metrics often paint a misleading picture of Europe’s underlying strength. This column uses
Default to mum: How institutions quietly shape gender roles in parenting
Mothers continue to shoulder the majority of childcare responsibilities even in dual-earner households, contributing to gender gaps in earnings, labour force participation, and career advancement.
Dealing with Trump: Dos and don’ts
Trade negotiations between the US and the EU are entering a crucial stage. This column argues that, faced with a highly uncertain geopolitical situation, the
Global growth concerns to weigh on metal prices
The World Bank’s metals and minerals price index edged up by 3 percent in May, partially recovering from an 8 percent plunge in April that
Most of the developing world is turning into a development-free zone
Only six months ago, a “soft landing” appeared to be in sight: the global economy was stabilizing after an extraordinary string of calamities both natural
The 2025 trade war: Dynamic impacts across US states and the global economy
In 2025, the US government announced a series of tariff increases targeting major trading partners, including Canada, China, and Mexico. This column estimates the economic
