Changes in the health and longevity of the elderly in the US
Spending on public pensions through Social Security and on elderly healthcare through Medicare accounted for over one-third of federal expenditures in the US by 2024.
The mortality costs of climate change
Mortality is one of the most salient consequences of climate change. Existing estimates have largely focused on the direct effects of local heat exposure. This
Europe’s long-term care gap: longevity risk and health uncertainty
Future EU long-term care demand hinges more on health trajectories than ageing alone, making prevention and healthy ageing central. This paper examines how uncertainty in
Beyond the snapshot: How poverty really unfolds over time in the EU
Poverty is not a static condition but a dynamic process. Yet the at-risk-of-poverty rate, which underpins EU poverty monitoring, captures who is poor in a
Prevention at birth: Birthright citizenship reduces youth crime
When youth crime draws public attention, policymakers typically call for tougher policing and harsher sanctions, overlooking the crime-reducing benefits of early prevention – investments in
When private insurance buys faster access to public care
Supplemental private health insurance is becoming more common in universal healthcare systems as a way to secure faster access to specialists, diagnostics, and elective care.
Health adversity weakens support for fairer healthcare
People’s quality of life is directly affected by policy decisions about access to healthcare and funding, making it increasingly important to understand how the public
Exploring how AI can boost people-centered development
With AI’s potential to transform and improve lives globally, we should consider what really works to leverage AI for people. At the World Bank, we are
Cities that work: How urban tourism drives jobs
When cities invest in tourism, they invest in jobs, entrepreneurship, and growth. Marrakech is a compelling example. In 2024, the city welcomed nearly 4 million tourists, each
The enormous economic burden of age-related diseases in South America
As populations age, noncommunicable diseases and mental health conditions are draining South American economies, reducing labour supply and diverting resources from investment. This column presents
