Spending smarter: A powerful growth strategy
With high public debt and weak medium-term growth, finance ministries seek to do more with less. This column argues that efficiency gaps in public spending
Gold rises more than 1% on risk-off mood, dollar pause
Non-yielding gold tends to do well in a low-interest-rate environment and during times of economic uncertainty. Gold prices gained more than 1% on Wednesday, with
Dollar index at three-month high, testing top of recent range
The yen was at 154.1 per dollar, languishing near an 8-1/2-month low, pressured by wide interest rate differentials. The dollar hovered near a three-month high
When debt perceptions shape fiscal futures
Voters fear debt, but they do not understand it. Using data across 13 countries, this column shows that most people dramatically misjudge debt levels and
The lasting economic scars of war
Wars leave deep and lasting scars on economies. Using data for 115 conflicts across 145 countries over the past 75 years, this column documents large
Dollar strengthens as traders process trade talks and Fed
The euro dipped 0.2% to $1.1628, set to snap a five-day streak of gains, and the dollar also rose 0.4% against the Swiss franc to
Insuring labour income shocks: The role of the dynasty
Beyond government and market-based insurance, the family remains a key institution for coping with economic risk. This column uses detailed Norwegian data to study how
Africa’s domestic debt boom: New evidence from the African Debt Database
Africa’s total public debt has risen more than fourfold since the early 2000s, but just as important as the increase in debt volumes is the
How tariffs hurt the ones you love
US stock markets fell in response to the announcement of President Trump’s “Liberation Day” tariffs until the tariffs were paused a few days later. This
Reimagining data and statistical systems in the Digital Era: the Indian Experience
Digital transformation involves how organizations use technology, people, and processes to deliver value in an increasingly connected world by reimaging their business processes. For governments,
