Books published by World Bank Publications

Reviews education and skills training options in the Eastern Caribbean and asks whether the education policies adequately prepare youth for the global economy. This book provides an analysis and relevant international practices to guide policymakers, educators and private sector leaders in fostering a creative, productive and well-paid workforce.

Assesses the status and practice of higher education quality assurance in Sub - Sahara Africa, focusing on degree - granting tertiary institutions.

Reveals a number of huge challenges in Science, Mathematics and ICT (SMICT) education in sub-Saharan Africa. Through examining country case studies, this paper discusses the lessons for improvement of SMICT in secondary education in Africa.

Reviews the specific design and implementation challenges facing social health insurance (SHI) in low- and middle-income countries and presents case studies on Ghana, Kenya, Philippines, Columbia, and Thailand.

Serves as a practical guide for medical professionals with little or no business experience who are interested in establishing health care facilities in developing countries. This book provides an introduction to the kinds of basic research and planning required to identify viable solutions and reduce the risk of failure.

One of the key components of a successful Poverty Reduction Strategy (PRS) is a system for monitoring the implementation of the strategy and tracking progress in poverty reduction. This volume provides lessons on the design and functioning of such monitoring systems, based on the experience of twelve PRS countries.

Examining the influence of local public services on the economics of cities, this title argues that the quality of local services significantly influences the productivity of a city, and its business firms and attempts to assess the costs of inferior local public services to firms.

'Involuntary Resettlement' is a sourcebook offering guidance on how to handle the problem of moving people in the interests of development with sensitivity and in a manner which is efficient and effective.

Tracks countries' progress with implementing and financing the third Millennium Development Goal (MDG3) by examining national experiences and successes with policies and programs. This volume also contains an assessment the effectiveness of different strategies in achieving MDG3 and the financial requirement needed in order to attain MDG3 by 2015.

In the summer of 2002, 942 poor women and men from ten poor communities of Colombia discussed urgent problems facing their families and communities. This text includes proposals, developed by the communities, that they believe can bring real improvements to their lives.

Investigates how can Bolivia achieve success in non-traditional exports by increasing the competitiveness of exporting firms.

Presents evidence on gender-based differences in the determinants of a firm's decision to become formal and the consequences of this decision for profits. This book includes the findings that focus on the constraints to/productivity in small and micro enterprises and how these may vary depending on the gender of the business owner.

A study that analyzes the educational attainment and school enrollment status of youth, as well as the formal and informal post-secondary educational and training opportunities available to them. It uses the results of a simulation model that incorporates enrollment in alternative education programs.

Presents a retrospective of the decentralization reform process in Sierra Leone from 2003-07 and makes a contribution to the debates on the merits and risks of decentralization in general and its desirability and viability in post-conflict countries.

A survey that assembles theoretical and empirical advances in the literature on economic informality, analyzing the causes and costs of informality in developed and developing economies. It discusses the nature and the roots of informal economic activity across countries distinguishing between informality as the result of 'exclusion' and 'exit'.

This study represents the most comprehensive review of fiscal federalism in the Russian Federation, presenting a strong case for greater decentralization. In this work, De Silva et al make a strong case for greater decentralization in Russia based not only on the traditional economic benefits of fiscal federalism but also on the political benefits from local government competition.

These papers are published to communicate the results of the Bank's ongoing research and to stimulate public discussion.

Analyses the quality of curricula and assessment and development processes in secondary education in Africa against the background of existing contexts, conditions, and ambitions on the one hand, and current pedagogical thinking on the other.

This paper synthesizes the findings of the country studies, highlighting the factors contributing to more equitable and efficient transitions in secondary education, and offers conclusions and recommendations.

This paper describes a set of tools to assist country officials in evaluating the status of the treasury function in a given country, the cost associated with implementing a treasury system, and assessing which of the many application software packages would be suitable for implementing an automated treasury system in a given country context.

Sets out key areas that remain to be addressed by governments in the Latin America and the Caribbean region to underpin sustainable arrangements that deliver efficient and effective services, which are accountable to citizens.

Assesses China's rural health system before and during the reforms of the 2000s. This book outlines ideas for building on these reforms to further strengthen the system including over the long-term.

Presents fresh, technically sound empirical evidence on the effectiveness and cost of various public-private education partnerships from around the world, including voucher programs and faith-based schools.

Spells out the concept and theoretical framework of School-based management, reviews the evidence, supports designing of impact assessments in various countries, and offers guidance to teams preparing education projects with a component on decentralization of authority.

Advances the understanding and integration in operational terms of environmental flows (water allocation) into integrated water resources management (IWRM). This book addresses the highly contested complexities of environmentally responsible water resources development.

The financial crisis poses many challenges to all countries and is having a significant impact on economies and societies throughout the world. Providing examples of good practices, this title helps countries improve AML/CFT supervision in the banking sector.