Books published by World Bank Publications

This study is aimed at facilitating policy development leading to a demand-driven, high-quality and equitable education and training system conducive to lifelong learning. The intended audience includes policymakers in the Ministries of Education, Human Resources and Social Security, Agriculture and Finance and the Poverty Alleviation Office and National Development and Reform Commission.

This report quantifies labour mobility costs in developing countries and simulates the implied adjustment paths of employment and wages following a change in trade policy. High mobility costs are shown to reduce the potential gains to trade reform.

The demand for workforce skills is changing in Vietnam's dynamic economy. In addition to job-specific skills, Vietnamese employers value cognitive skills, like problem solving, and behavioural skills, like team work. This book presents an agenda of change for Vietnam's education system to prepare workers to succeed in Vietnam's modernizing economy.

The unanticipated spike in international food prices in 2007-08 hit many developing countries hard. The food price increases were particularly hard on the poor and near-poor in developing countries. This evaluation assesses the effectiveness of the World Bank Group response in addressing the short-term impacts of the food price crisis and in enhancing the resilience of countries to future shocks.

This book identifies reforms that can help manage environmental priority problems associated with transport's impacts on air quality, noise pollution, road safety, hazardous-materials transport, climate change, and urban sprawl. The policy options are contextualised in light of the Government of Pakistan's 2011 Framework for Economic Growth and its strategic objectives.

Presents the findings of a study of the functions performed by Central Finance Agencies, defined as government organisations that carry out financial management functions for the whole of government. Using a political economy approach to the analysis of CFAs in ten case studies of low-income countries, the report identifies the principal constraints on the capability of CFAs.

Indonesia has begun to emerge into middle-income status, yet persistent poverty and stark inequalities continue to affect young children's development. This book tells the story of Indonesia's efforts to change the trajectory of development for poor children. The results presented are of significance for researchers, policy-makers, and practitioners within and beyond Indonesia.