Review of World Development Report

(2000-2021)

Submitted By:
Arpan Acharya
Subin Aryal

BECO311-Development Economics-2

BECON III / I

Task: Term Paper

Kathmandu University, School of Arts,

Hattiban, Lalitpur
 Introduction

The World Development Report (WDR) has been as the World Bank's
flagship publication prioritizing the important development concerns, such as
poverty, inequality, education, health, governance, climate change, and others.
The WDR have been offering in-depth analysis and policy recommendations.
The World Development Report (WDR) is a comprehensive report created by a
team of economists and experts at the World Bank and draws on the most recent
studies, statistics, and real-world experience to present a thorough and current
picture of development prospects and challenges. The initial concept of World
Development Report was started in 1978 to give the World Bank and its
member nations a thorough and in-depth study of important development issues
and to enhance awareness of the opportunities and challenges associated with
development. The study was written in response to the growing realization that
the World Bank needed to offer more than just financial assistance to its
member nations. In order to assist nations in achieving their development
objectives, it was also acknowledged that the World Bank needed to take a more
active role in supplying information, analysis, and policy recommendations on
development-related issues.
Within the course of time, the main agendas/ priorities sectors have been
changing, where the WDR covered some the emerging topics like the issues of
poverty alleviation, Macroeconomic stability of the nations, trade liberalization,
Market oriented reforms, Human development and environmental sustainability
during years 1978-1998. Similarly, with the trends of Globalization,
urbanization, changes in the institution systems across the nations, it can be seen
that the major agendas of WDR have been evolving. Due to these reasons, in
this paper will try to cover the major reforms that were been made in the WDR
since the start of 21st century (2000 A.D. to 2021 A.D). Those major priorities
that have been addressed in these years are the topics of reducing poverty via
the method of good governance, building institutions for proper functioning of
the markets, sustainable development in dynamic world, concepts of social
work, better climatic conditions, equity, agricultural reforms, enhancing
geography, minimizing the conflicts for development, jobs creation, and social
behaviors and norms. Furthermore, going into the details, we will try to address
all the major changes these reports have covered individually and all the major
events that took place in those particular years.

2011

Central Theme: Conflict, Security, and Development

The World Development Report of 2011 examines the challenges faced

by countries in conflict and fragility and provides insights and practical
suggestions on how to secure development. It examined the changing nature of
violence in the 21st century, and underlined the negative impact of repeated
cycles of violence on a country or region's development prospects. The report
highlights five crucial messages relevant to all types of countries, including low,
middle, and high-income nations, as well as regional and global institutions:

1) Institutional legitimacy is the basis for stability, and the

danger of violent conflict rises when governments fail to uphold the law,
 protect citizens, and fight corruption, when markets fail to generate jobs,
or when social cohesiveness breaks down in communities.
2) To reduce violence, it is essential to make investments in
justice, employment, and citizen security, but there is currently little
funding for these initiatives.
3) In order to respond promptly, with a long-term vision, and
with better resilience, institutions, especially international organizations
and partner nations, must adapt and evolve.
4) A multi-layered strategy is required, with certain issues
requiring a national solution while others necessitate a regional one, such
as the integration of unstable regions through market growth and the
pooling of resources for capacity building.
5) Greater focus should be placed on south-south and south-
north interactions as well as the recent transition experiences of middle-
income countries as the global environment changes and regional
institutions and middle-income nations play a larger role.
The report's focus on the interlinkages between conflict, security, and
development, and the need for a holistic approach to addressing these
challenges, remains highly relevant in today's world. The significance of
tackling the underlying causes of conflict and fragility, such as poverty,
inequality, lack of access to justice and security, and poor governance, are just a
few of the major themes from the study that are still relevant today.
 2012:

Central Theme: Gender Equality and Development

"Gender Equality and Development" was the main emphasis of the 2012
World Development Report. The study stressed the significance of gender
equality as a method of advancing both more general development goals, such
as poverty reduction and economic growth, as well as a vital development aim
in and of itself. The paper included a variety of data demonstrating the
considerable economic implications of gender inequality, including poorer
productivity and slower economic growth. The research also covered the
different gender disparities, such as unequal access to economic, medical, and
educational opportunities, that still exist in many nations. The report
emphasized the necessity of a comprehensive strategy for advancing gender
equality, which should include laws and initiatives aimed at lessening violence
and discrimination against women, enhancing women's access to employment
opportunities, and encouraging women's political participation and leadership.
The research also emphasized the need to address these disparities in a thorough
and integrated way as well as the confluence between gender and other types of
inequality, such as those based on race, age, and region.
Due to its emphasis on gender equality, one of the major variables
influencing economic growth, the World Development Report 2012 is
extremely pertinent to the study of Development Economics. The study
emphasizes the financial implications of gender disparity and makes the case
that resolving this issue is crucial for attaining long-term economic growth and
development. It gives an exhaustive examination of the numerous obstacles to
gender equality and its effects on various facets of life, such as political
representation, employment, and education. The paper also makes legislative
recommendations for reducing the gender gap and emphasizes the need of
tackling intersectional concerns. This study is important because it emphasizes
the necessity for a multifaceted approach to achieving gender equality and
acknowledges it as a key component of economic growth.

2013:

Central theme: Jobs Creation

An extensive analysis of the job market's effects on economic growth and

poverty eradication is provided in the 2013 World Development Report. It
makes the case that producing jobs is essential to economic growth and
emphasizes the need of creating better jobs that give higher incomes, better
working conditions, and more prospects for promotion. The necessity of
establishing jobs for women and young people is emphasized in the report
because these demographics are frequently the most vulnerable on the labor
market. The paper also looks at how the government and the business sector
may work together to create jobs. It makes the point that the government can
play a significant part in fostering an environment that encourages job growth
by making investments in infrastructure, promoting education and training, and
assisting small and medium-sized businesses. The report also acknowledges that
the private sector is the primary source of new jobs and that it has to be given
incentives to do so.
The paper uses a variety of case studies from various nations to highlight
the difficulties and possibilities in job creation. It offers policy
recommendations to assist governments create institutions and policies that
support job growth and raise job quality. Investing in human capital, fostering a
climate that supports small and medium-sized businesses, encouraging labor
market flexibility, and tackling discrimination in the workplace are some of the
ideas made here. The job market and its effects on economic growth and
poverty reduction are thoroughly examined in the 2013 World Development
Report. Policymakers and development professionals can benefit from its results
and suggestions as they try to encourage job growth and raise the standard of
employment.
The report also covers several broader issues related to development
economics. For example, it examines the impact of investment in human capital
on job creation and economic growth. It also highlights the importance of a
supportive environment for small and medium-sized enterprises, which are
often key drivers of job creation. The report also addresses the issue of labor
market flexibility and the need to balance the rights and protections of workers
with the need for flexible labor markets that can respond to changes in the
economy.
In addition to its focus on job creation, the World Development Report
2013 also covers topics such as inequality, poverty, and gender. It provides a
comprehensive analysis of these issues and highlights their impact on job
creation and economic growth. The report also addresses the issue of
discrimination in the labor market and the importance of addressing this issue to
promote job creation and economic growth.

2014

Central theme: Risk and Opportunity - Managing Risk for

Development

This report focuses on risk and uncertainty in development. According to

the paper, managing risk and uncertainty is essential for attaining sustainable
and equitable growth. These issues are said to be inextricably linked to
development. The paper emphasizes the significance of developing risk and
uncertainty tolerance as well as the necessity of developing structures and
policies to assist people in overcoming these obstacles. The report provides a
comprehensive overview of the various risks and uncertainties that people,
households, and nations encounter when pursuing development. It encompasses
a variety of subjects, such as political risk (such as war and violence), economic
risk (such as financial instability and unemployment), and ecological risk (such
as natural catastrophes and climate change). The paper makes the case that
controlling these risks necessitates a multifaceted strategy that includes
increasing people's capacity to manage risk as well as eliminating the root
causes of risk. In order to help governments and development organizations
become more resilient to risk and uncertainty, the paper also offers a variety of
policy proposals. These suggestions include boosting social safety nets,
fostering financial inclusion, investing in health and education, and enhancing
catastrophe readiness and response. The paper also emphasizes the significance
of developing institutions, such as efficient regulatory frameworks and
insurance systems, that are capable of managing risk and uncertainty.
The topics that are connected in this report that we studied in
development economics course are risk and uncertainty, it offers a thorough
analysis of the various risks that people, households, and nations must contend
with in order to pursue development, including natural risk, political risk, and
economic risk. The report makes the case that controlling these risks is essential
for achieving sustainable and inclusive growth and offers a number of policy
recommendations for governments and development organizations to help
people become more resilient to risk and uncertainty. These recommendations
include making investments in health and education, bolstering social safety
nets, encouraging financial inclusion, and enhancing disaster preparedness and
response.
 2015

Central Theme: Mind, Society, and Behavior

The report promotes the idea that understanding how human behavior and
social norms influence development is critical for creating successful
institutions and policies that support growth and development. Decision-
making, trust, cooperation, and institutions are just a few of the behavioral and
social norms-related themes that are covered in the report.

The report presents a comprehensive investigation of the function that

social norms and human conduct play in development and makes the case that,
depending on their unique properties, these elements can either help or impede
growth. The paper, for instance, makes the case that while some social norms
and behaviors, like trust and collaboration, might foster economic growth and
development, others, like corruption and inequality, can work against it. This
provides a variety of policy recommendations for governments and
development organizations to support the development-friendly behaviors and
social norms. These suggestions include of fostering accountability and
openness, fortifying institutions, and spending money on health and education.
The paper makes the case that institutions and policies should be adjusted to the
unique cultural and historical circumstances in which social norms and
behaviors evolve. It also emphasizes the significance of understanding these
contexts.
This also covers a wide range of subjects relating to how social norms
and human conduct affect development economics. The report makes the case
that comprehending these factors is essential for developing effective
institutions and policies that support growth and development and offers a
thorough analysis of the part that social norms and human behavior play in
development, emphasizing the significance of taking cultural and historical
context into account. The paper offers policy recommendations for governments
and development agencies to encourage societal norms and behaviors that
support development, such as fostering accountability and transparency,
fortifying institutions, and spending money on education and health.
Policymakers and development professionals can learn a lot from the report's
conclusions and suggestions on the social norms of various societies.

2016
Central Theme: Digital dividends

The "Digital Dividends" theme is the main focus of the 2016 World
Development Report, which offers a thorough analysis of how digital
technologies have affected development economics. The research makes the
case that the adoption of digital technologies can have a large positive impact
on people, businesses, and economies, leading to improvements in productivity,
information access, and job creation. The paper cautions that not all people and
communities can equally benefit from these technologies and emphasizes the
possibility that digital technology could worsen already-existing inequalities.
The report provides a variety of policy recommendations for governments and
development organizations to support inclusive growth and ensure that
everyone benefits from digital technologies. These suggestions include
bolstering the digital economy's competitiveness, boosting infrastructural
development, and advancing digital users' rights to data security and privacy.
The research also emphasizes how critical it is to close the digital skills gap,
especially in developing nations, in order to ensure that everyone can take use
of digital technologies and that they do not lead to further inequality.
This article discusses the effects of digital technology, which can be
researched through development economics. In addition to outlining the
potential for digital technologies to worsen already-existing disparities, the
research analyzes the advantages of digital technology, such as improved
productivity, access to information, and job creation. Additionally, it offers
recommendations for governments and development organizations to support
inclusive growth, highlighting the significance of addressing the digital skills
gap and making sure that everyone, especially in developing countries, can
benefit from digital technologies without contributing to greater inequality.
These recommendations include investing in infrastructure and digital literacy,
fostering competition in the digital economy, and protecting digital user rights.
The findings and recommendations of the report are valuable for policymakers
and development practitioners as they strive for sustainable and inclusive
growth in the digital age.

2017

Central theme: Governance and the law

The WDR 2017 focuses on the issue of "Governance and the Law" and
offers a thorough examination of the connection between governance and
development economics. According to the research, supporting inclusive and
sustainable growth as well as lowering poverty and inequality require sound
governance and the application of the law. In order to create a stable and
predictable climate that fosters economic activity, the paper emphasizes the
significance of strong and transparent institutions, accountable leaders, and
effective legislation. In order to enhance governance and encourage equitable
growth, the paper offers a variety of policy proposals for governments and
development organizations. These suggestions include bolstering institutions,
boosting accountability and transparency, and spending money on education
and training to develop human capital. The importance of having access to
justice and the rule of law is also emphasized in the report, along with the
necessity of combating corruption and ensuring the protection of contractual
and property rights.

The study of development economics has been linked to the promotion of

inclusive and sustainable growth, the reduction of poverty, and the reduction of
inequality. The report emphasizes the significance of good governance and the
rule of law for these goals. The report offers policy recommendations for
governments and development organizations to strengthen institutions, increase
transparency and accountability, invest in education and training, and combat
corruption in order to improve governance and support inclusive growth. The
necessity of having access to justice, upholding the rule of law, and
safeguarding contracts and property rights are all emphasized in the report. As
they endeavor to promote sustainable and inclusive growth through good
governance and the rule of law, policymakers and development practitioners
can benefit from the report's findings and suggestions.

2018

Central Theme: Learning to Realize Education's Promise

The World Development Report 2018 examines the connection between

education and development economics in detail and centers on the theme of
"Learning to Realize Education's Promise." The paper emphasizes the value of
education in fostering inclusive and sustainable growth as well as in lowering
poverty and inequality. According to the research, education is a fundamental
human right as well as a major force in economic progress. In order to enhance
education systems and encourage inclusive growth, the paper offers a number of
policy recommendations for governments and development organizations.
Increasing access to high-quality education, particularly for underserved and
marginalized populations, investing in the professional development of teachers,
and utilizing technology to improve learning outcomes are some of the
recommendations made here. The relevance of learning assessments is also
emphasized in the report since they offer crucial data that policymakers and
educators can use to enhance educational institutions and decide how best to
allocate resources.
The report highlights some of the core issues in development economics,
demonstrating the value of education in fostering equitable and sustainable
growth as well as in eliminating poverty and inequality. According to the paper,
education is a fundamental human right and a major factor in economic
development. In order to improve education systems, the report offers policy
recommendations to governments and development organizations. These
include expanding access to high-quality education, funding teacher preparation
programs, utilizing technology to improve learning outcomes, and using
learning assessments to guide decision-making. Policymakers and development
professionals can benefit from the report's findings and suggestions as they
endeavor to foster sustainable and inclusive growth through education.

2019

Central Theme: The Changing Nature of Work

The theme of WDR 2019 deals with "The Changing Nature of Work" and
it offers a thorough analysis of how the workplace is evolving in a fast-evolving
global economy. The paper emphasizes the effects of technology developments
on the future of employment and the labor market, including the advent of the
gig economy and automation. The research makes the case that while
advancements in technology have the potential to raise living standards and
open up new opportunities, they also present substantial risks, including the loss
of jobs and a rise in economic inequality. The report provides policy
recommendations for governments and development organizations to address
these challenges and promote inclusive growth in the changing world of work.
These recommendations include investing in education and training to build the
skills necessary for the future of work, strengthening social protection systems,
and creating a more supportive regulatory environment for workers in the gig
economy. The report also stresses the importance of promoting inclusive growth
by ensuring that workers have access to quality jobs and decent working
conditions, regardless of their sector or employment status.
This study examines important aspects of development economics,
including job displacement and rising income inequality, and assesses how
technological advancements may affect work and the labor market in the future.
This document offers policy recommendations for governments and
development agencies to support inclusive growth in the face of the changing
nature of the labor market, including spending money on education and training,
bolstering social protection programs, and establishing regulatory environments
that are friendly to gig economy workers. The research underlines the
significance of encouraging inclusive growth by making sure that all employees
have access to excellent employment and safe working conditions.
Policymakers and development professionals can benefit from the report's
conclusions and suggestions as they seek to guarantee that the advantages of
technological advancement are realized.

2020
 Central Theme: Trading for Development in the Age of Global Value
Chains
The World Development Report 2020 has as its central theme "Trading
for Development in the Age of Global Value Chains." It draws attention to the
benefits and drawbacks of economies' inclusion in global value chains (GVCs),
which are networks of cross-border, interrelated manufacturing processes.
According to the paper, taking part in GVCs can aid developing nations in
boosting exports, creating jobs, and economic growth. It also highlights the
need for measures that address the detrimental effects of GVCs, such as the
closure of domestic businesses, the erosion of workers' bargaining power, and
the rise in income inequality. To ensure that GVCs lead to innovation, the paper
urges for reforms in areas like trade policy, investment, and social protection.
The World Development Report 2020 is highly relevant to the study of
Development Economics as it provides insights and analysis on a key aspect of
economic development - the integration of economies into global value chains
(GVCs) and its impact on the developing world. Development Economics is a
field that examines the economic, political, and social factors that influence the
growth and development of economies, particularly in low-income countries.
The report's focus on the opportunities and challenges posed by GVCs and the
need for policy reform to ensure more inclusive and sustainable development
outcomes aligns well with the goals of Development Economics.

2021

Central theme: Data for lives

The World Development Report 2021 provides a comprehensive

overview of the role that data plays in shaping economic, social, and political
outcomes, and the challenges and opportunities that arise from its increasing
availability and use. The report covers a wide range of topics related to data and
development, including the role of data in monitoring and evaluating
development programs, the use of data in evidence-based policymaking, the
importance of data for measuring and reducing poverty and inequality, and the
potential of data to drive innovation and growth. The report also provides a
detailed analysis of the barriers to data access and use, including issues related
to data protection, digital divide, and lack of human and technical capacities. It
argues that overcoming these barriers and building trust in data systems is
essential to ensure that data is used for the benefit of all people. By emphasizing
the importance of data for development and providing a roadmap for action, the
World Development Report 2021 is an invaluable resource for policymakers,
practitioners, and researchers in the fields of development, data science, and
governance.
The World Development Report 2021 is closely linked to the study of
Development Economics, as it provides a nuanced understanding of the role that
data plays in shaping economic growth and development outcomes.
Development Economics is a field that examines the economic, political, and
social factors that influence the growth and development of economies,
particularly in low-income countries. The report highlights the importance of
data for monitoring and evaluating development programs, making evidence-
based policy decisions, and measuring poverty and inequality, all of which are
central concerns of Development Economics. Additionally, the report
emphasizes the need for data systems that are trustworthy, accessible, and
inclusive, which aligns with the goal of Development Economics to promote
more equitable and sustainable outcomes. By providing insights into the role of
data in shaping development outcomes and highlighting the need for data
systems that are inclusive and trustworthy, the World Development Report 2021
is a valuable resource for students, researchers, and practitioners in the field of
Development Economics.
 From 2000 to 2021, the WDR has covered a wide range of topics,
including trade, employment, infrastructure, governance, health, and data. The
WDR provides a comprehensive analysis of each theme and offers practical
recommendations for policymakers and practitioners in the field of
development. Over the years, the WDR has emphasized the importance of trade
for development, highlighting the opportunities and challenges that arise from
the integration of economies into global value chains. It has also highlighted the
importance of good governance and institutions for promoting economic growth
and reducing poverty, as well as the need for effective policies to address
employment challenges, particularly for the most vulnerable populations. The
WDR has also discussed the importance of investing in infrastructure, both
physical and digital, as a means of promoting growth and improving access to
basic services. In recent years, the WDR has focused on the role of data in
shaping development outcomes. The WDR 2021 emphasized the increasing
importance of data in informing policy decisions, measuring progress, and
promoting inclusive growth. It stressed the need for data systems that are
trustworthy, accessible, and inclusive, and called for reforms to overcome the
barriers to data access and use.
In conclusion, the World Development Report provides valuable insights
into the key challenges and opportunities facing the world's developing
economies. Over the past two decades, the WDR has emphasized the
importance of trade, employment, governance, infrastructure, and data for
promoting inclusive and sustainable economic growth. The WDR remains an
essential resource for students, researchers, and practitioners in the field of
development economics and a valuable tool for policymakers seeking to
promote economic growth and reduce poverty.