Air pollution
The Kathmandu Valley and Terai regions of Nepal have been identified as the country's pollution hotspots, according to a new World Bank report. The report finds that single-sector efforts are insufficient to achieve clean air targets, and a cross-sector approach is needed to prioritize cost-effective solutions. Air pollution
Air pollution
Research on the impacts of climate change and air pollution on student education outcomes in Vietnam has yielded some significant findings. A recent study analyzed data from over a decade, including household and school surveys, test scores, and air pollution data, to examine the relationship between air pollution and student
Economic growth
As the global economy continues to experience a decline in foreign direct investment (FDI) flows, a new World Bank research has highlighted a worrying trend that threatens the ability of low- and middle-income countries to finance development and spur economic growth. In 2023, developing economies received just $435 billion in
International trade
Thailand's small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) continue to face significant challenges in the labour market, with the impact of global trade wars disrupting sales and production continuity. Despite these pressures, innovation and technological adoption remain critical for SMEs to ensure their survival. According to the World Bank'
Economic growth
Nigeria, Africa's second-largest economy, is confronting various environmental challenges, from floods and heatwaves to droughts, erosion, deforestation, and the shrinking of Lake Chad. These disasters strain the country's ecosystems, livelihoods, and economy. To effectively tackle these crises, Nigeria is embracing Natural Capital Accounting (NCA) as a
International trade
Sri Lanka's economy is set to experience a decline in growth, with a forecasted deceleration to 3.5 per cent this year, followed by further drops to 3.1 per cent in 2026 and 2027. The World Bank's Global Economic Prospects report attributes this decline to
Economic growth
The backdrop to this weekend's G7 meeting in Alberta is one of deepening gloom, with Western economies slowing down even before the unpredictable policy announcements by U.S. President Donald Trump. The latest updates from the OECD and World Bank confirm that global GDP growth is expected to
Economic growth
The escalating US-driven global trade war is expected to have a devastating impact on developing economies, with the World Bank predicting that growth in nearly two-thirds of these countries will slow down this year. The lender warned that the globalisation that led to an "economic miracle" in many
Economic growth
The unprecedented trade policies of President Donald Trump are unleashing chaos on the global economy. With his lawless and unpredictable approach, Trump is putting the world economy at risk, and the consequences are already being felt. The World Bank has issued a dire warning, projecting that global growth will slow
International trade
The World Bank has reaffirmed its projection that India will be the fastest-growing major economy in 2025 with a GDP expansion of 6.3%, despite a downward revision in its earlier forecast. This forecast marks a slight decrease from the projected 6.7% growth rate in January. The World Bank
Economic growth
Global economic growth is expected to slow in 2025, with the United States and European countries facing significant declines. The World Bank's latest forecast cites rising trade barriers, including tariffs imposed by President Donald Trump, as a major contributor to the slowdown. The report also warns that the
International trade
The World Bank has backed President Donald Trump's complaint that the US faces higher trade barriers abroad than foreign businesses do in the US market, recommending that countries reduce their tariffs to match the lower levies imposed by the US. The bank's economists expressed concern that
