Building coalitions for climate transition and nature restoration
Global climate and biodiversity outcomes will largely be determined in emerging and developing economies (EMDEs). We propose a four-pillar strategy to support climate and nature
Understanding country income: World Bank Group income classifications for FY26 (July 1, 2025–June, 2026)
Every year, the World Bank Group classifies the world’s economies into four income groups: low, lower-middle, upper-middle, and high. These classifications, updated each year on July
A cold case (over 160 years old): The effects of unification on Italy’s North-South divide
Few economic debates have lasted as long as the 160-year debate concerning the effects of Italian unification on the economies of Italy’s South and North.
Climate adaptation and inequality: Lessons from Cape Town’s drought
A growing number of urban areas around the world face water scarcity. Focusing on the prolonged drought that Cape Town experienced from 2015 to 2018,
The global impact of AI: Mind the gap
Artificial intelligence is widely seen as a transformative force for productivity and innovation. Yet, its macroeconomic implications remain uncertain, especially from a global perspective. This
EU almost on track to reach 2030 climate goal
The European Union is nearly on track to reach its main climate target for this decade, with countries’ existing CO2-cutting plans set to bring the
When upskilling is good but not enough: Understanding labour shortages through a job-quality lens
Advanced economies are still experiencing labour shortages in the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic. This column examines the high labour shortages across OECD countries, focusing
Moderate growth amid global trade uncertainty: The Commission’s Spring 2025 Forecast
President Trump’s sweeping “reciprocal tariffs” announced on 2 April sent shockwaves through the global economy. This column introduces the European Commission’s Spring Forecast, which depicts
Extreme weather and nature loss: can the private sector be part of the infrastructure solution?
In 2018, after 3 years of droughts, the city of Cape Town in South Africa faced severe water shortages. Dam reservoir capacity had dropped to
Recent trade policy actions: Insights from multiple models
Recent tariff measures by the US and countermeasures by its trading partners have dominated global policy debates. Using three economic models, this column shows how
