Accelerating Development: Ideas for Impact

Can a simple bank account offer better protection than a sea wall? This episode challenges the top-down view of climate resilience, arguing that the most effective path to climate resilience starts with people - and it begins with economic growth . We explore why a 10% rise in GDP saves millions, how "ambiguity aversion" paralyzes decision-making, and the surprising ways government safety nets can accidentally increase risk through...

Ukraine's recovery requires more than rebuilding bridges; it demands a restart of the economic engine itself. This episode explores how Ukraine can replicate West Germany's post-war "Wirtschaftswunder" (economic miracle) to break out of a low-dynamism trap. We diagnose why top firms control over 50% of sales without innovating and how "power without performance" is stifling growth. Discover why simply subsidizing startups isn't eno...

By 2030, nearly 60% of the world's extreme poor will live in 39 specific economies. What do they have in common? They are all trapped in a vicious cycle of fragility and conflict. This episode breaks down the devastating human and economic costs, showing how high-intensity conflict can wipe out 20% of GDP and decimate the industrial sector. But the situation is not hopeless. We explore a blueprint for recovery built on three major ...

Most people care deeply about climate change—but many don’t realize that almost everyone else does too. This episode explores the hidden behavioral forces shaping the green transition, from “pluralistic ignorance” that keeps people silent to the power of social norms that spark collective change. Discover how revealing shared concern can turn quiet belief into bold action, building the foundation for a greener, more united future.

What if equality isn’t just the right thing to do—but the most effective path to growth? This episode explores new evidence from the African Center for Economic Transformation showing how closing gender gaps in access to land, finance, and care work drives productivity and resilience across economies. From rural farms to national policy, we uncover how empowering women unleashes a powerful “gender dividend” — fueling inclusive and ...

Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) is drying up, and the implications are global. This episode unpacks the World Bank’s report Foreign Direct Investment in Retreat: Policies to Turn the Tide, revealing why capital flows to developing countries have fallen to half their 2008 peak. We explore how trade openness, stronger institutions, and human capital can turn every investment dollar into growth—and why treaties, trust, and stability n...

Why do people pay taxes? The answer is more complex than just laws and penalties. This episode dives into the behavioral science behind tax compliance, revealing how governments can achieve staggering results without new legislation. We break down three key strategies: the "nudge" targeting individual choices, the "budge" that shifts societal culture, and the "trudge" that focuses on motivating the system from within. Learn how the...

Financial inclusion is a cornerstone of development, and since 2011, the Global Findex Database has been the definitive source of data on the ways in which adults around the world access and use financial services. The 2025 edition introduces a new component that measures access to and use of mobile technology. Combined with financial inclusion data, it offers a holistic view of how mobile infrastructure is expanding access to fina...

Financial inclusion is a cornerstone of development, and since 2011, the Global Findex Database has been the definitive source of data on the ways in which adults around the world access and use financial services. The 2025 edition introduces a new component that measures access to and use of mobile technology. Combined with financial inclusion data, it offers a holistic view of how mobile infrastructure is expanding access to fina...

In this episode, we explore key insights from the World Bank World Development Report 2023: Migrants, Refugees, and Societies. With over 184 million people living outside their country of nationality—nearly half in low- and middle-income countries—the report highlights how migration, if managed well, can be a positive force for development, bringing benefits for migrants as well as origin and destination countries. Tune in as we un...

In this episode, we explore key insights from the World Bank World Development Report 2023: Migrants, Refugees, and Societies. With over 184 million people living outside their country of nationality—nearly half in low- and middle-income countries—the report highlights how migration, if managed well, can be a positive force for development, bringing benefits for migrants as well as origin and destination countries. Tune in as we un...

Rising trade tensions and ongoing policy uncertainty are threatening to slow global growth to its weakest pace since 2008—outside of outright global recessions. In this episode, we unpack why growth forecasts have dropped for nearly 70% of economies worldwide, spanning all regions and income levels. Join us for an in-depth look at the policies, priorities, and practical actions that countries can take to mobilize domestic revenues,...

Rising trade tensions and ongoing policy uncertainty are threatening to slow global growth to its weakest pace since 2008—outside of outright global recessions. In this episode, we unpack why growth forecasts have dropped for nearly 70% of economies worldwide, spanning all regions and income levels. Join us for an in-depth look at the policies, priorities, and practical actions that countries can take to mobilize domestic revenues,...

"Accelerating Development" embarks on a comprehensive deep dive into Global Value Chains (GVCs), exploring their profound impact on global economies and development. We discuss how GVCs have historically fueled economic progress and poverty reduction, demonstrating a significantly more powerful effect on per capita income growth compared to traditional trade, driven by hyper-specialization and durable lo...

"Accelerating Development" embarks on a comprehensive deep dive into Global Value Chains (GVCs), exploring their profound impact on global economies and development. We discuss how GVCs have historically fueled economic progress and poverty reduction, demonstrating a significantly more powerful effect on per capita income growth compared to traditional trade, driven by hyper-specialization and durable lo...

The COVID-19 pandemic tested public health communication like never before. While providing information is crucial, does it always translate into action? In this episode of “Accelerating Development,” we delve into a groundbreaking World Bank meta-analysis on COVID-19 vaccination intentions. Drawing on insights from the 2015 World Development Report "Mind, Society, and Behavior," we examine how behaviorally informed messages – cons...

The COVID-19 pandemic tested public health communication like never before. While providing information is crucial, does it always translate into action? In this episode of “Accelerating Development,” we delve into a groundbreaking World Bank meta-analysis on COVID-19 vaccination intentions. Drawing on insights from the 2015 World Development Report "Mind, Society, and Behavior," we examine how behaviorally informed messages – cons...