046d9a6f8fcc09edd0a7cec86085f53d8f2f5332 cq5indextype http://www.worldbank.org/en/region/sar/publication/south-asia-economic-update English /content/region/sar/en/publication/south-asia-economic-update cq5 Publication Publication 046d9a6f8fcc09edd0a7cec86085f53d8f2f5332 South Asia Economic Update April 2026 The World Bank’s latest economic outlook explores growth prospects for South Asia and provides analysis on how the region can benefit from the green energy transition. 2027-04-08T23:00:00Z South Asia’s growth is expected to slow in 2026 amid headwinds from global energy market dislocation. Trade reforms could unlock further growth by reducing trade barriers, especially for emerging export sectors. The World Bank’s latest economic outlook explores growth prospects for South Asia and provides analysis on how the region can benefit from the green energy transition. 40cb7bdf5aea9db8bceaffd14353b04da7eec25c cq5indextype http://www.worldbank.org/en/news/press-release/2026/04/08/south-asia-economic-update-april-2026 English /content/wb-home/en/news/press-release/2026/04/08/south-asia-economic-update-april-2026 cq5 Press Release Press Release 40cb7bdf5aea9db8bceaffd14353b04da7eec25c South Asia's Growth Slows Amid Global Headwinds 2026-04-08T14:00:00Z WASHINGTON, Apr. 8, 2026—Growth in South Asia is expected to slow to 6.3% in 2026—from 7% in 2025—due to disruptions in global energy markets, says the World Bank Group in its twice-a-year regional outlook. 31e11a28bff384358198b8d5ebcd20018ed05431 cq5indextype http://www.worldbank.org/en/news/press-release/2026/04/08/conflict-hits-menaap-economies-underscoring-need-for-action-to-boost-resilience-create-jobs English /content/wb-home/en/news/press-release/2026/04/08/conflict-hits-menaap-economies-underscoring-need-for-action-to-boost-resilience-create-jobs cq5 Press Release Press Release 31e11a28bff384358198b8d5ebcd20018ed05431 Conflict Hits MENAAP Economies, Underscoring Need for Action to Boost Resilience, Create Jobs WASHINGTON, Apr. 8, 2026 — The latest conflict in the Middle East has taken a serious and immediate economic toll on countries in the surrounding region. The closure of the Strait of Hormuz and destruction of energy and public infrastructure have disrupted markets, increased financial volatility, and weakened the 2026 growth outlook, according to the latest edition of the World Bank Group’s Economic Update for the Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan and Pakistan (MENAAP). This conflict comes as an additional shock to a region already suffering from low productivity growth, limited private sector dynamism and persistent labor market challenges – underscoring the urgent need to strengthen governance and macroeconomic fundamentals and take action to boost long-term job creation and resilience. Excluding Iran, overall growth in the region is expected to slow from 4.0% in 2025 to 1.8% for 2026. This forecast stands 2.4 percentage points below the World Bank Group’s January projections. The decline is concentrated in Gulf Cooperation Council economies and Iraq, which are heavily affected by the conflict. Growth in the GCC has been downgraded by 3.1 percentage points since January and is now projected to slow from 4.4% in 2025 to 1.3% in 2026. Risks are tilted to the downside. In the event of a prolonged conflict, the current impacts on the region will be compounded–through elevated energy and food prices, declining trade, tourism and remittances, increased fiscal pressures, and displacement. "The current crisis is a stark reminder of the work ahead for the region: not only to weather shocks, but to rebuild more resilient economies with stronger macroeconomic fundamentals, innovate and improve governance, invest in infrastructure, and boost employment-creating sectors," said Ousmane Dione, World Bank Vice President for the Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan and Pakistan. "Peace and stability are preconditions for the region’s durable development. With peace and the right action, countries can build the institutions, capabilities and competitive sectors that create opportunities for people." With this long-term vision in mind, the report takes a close look at the region’s potential for industrial policy – government actions to increase strategic business activity as a driver of economic growth and job creation. In the Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan and Pakistan, the central question is whether such policy is being used in ways that are feasible, accountable, and aligned with countries’ constraints and development goals. Governments in the region have adopted industrial policy at a high rate in the last decade, often through sovereign wealth funds and state-owned enterprises, but the results have been mixed. The report highlights the critical need for strong institutions and careful targeting of policies. "As countries face the heavy toll of the present conflict, it is important to also not lose sight of the work needed for long-lasting peace and prosperity," said Roberta Gatti, World Bank Group Chief Economist for the Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan and Pakistan. 2026-04-08T09:00:00Z The latest conflict in the Middle East has taken a serious and immediate economic toll on countries in the surrounding region. The closure of the Strait of Hormuz and destruction of energy and public infrastructure have disrupted markets, increased financial volatility, and weakened the 2026 growth outlook, according to the latest edition of the World Bank Group’s Economic Update for the Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan and Pakistan (MENAAP). WASHINGTON, Apr. 8, 2026 — The latest conflict in the Middle East has taken a serious and immediate economic toll on countries in the surrounding region. The closure of the Strait of Hormuz and destruction of energy and public infrastructure have disrupted markets, increased financial volatility, and weakened the 2026 growth outlook, according to the latest edition of the World Bank Group’s Economic Update for the Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan and Pakistan (MENAAP). This conflict comes as an additional shock to a region already suffering from low productivity growth, limited private sector dynamism and persistent labor market challenges – underscoring the urgent need to strengthen governance and macroeconomic fundamentals and take action to boost long-term job creation and resilience. Excluding Iran, overall growth in the region is expected to slow from 4.0% in 2025 to 1.8% for 2026. This forecast stands 2.4 percentage points below the World Bank Group’s January projections. The decline is concentrated in Gulf Cooperation Council economies and Iraq, which are heavily affected by the conflict. Growth in the GCC has been downgraded by 3.1 percentage points since January and is now projected to slow from 4.4% in 2025 to 1.3% in 2026. Risks are tilted to the downside. In the event of a prolonged conflict, the current impacts on the region will be compounded–through elevated energy and food prices, declining trade, tourism and remittances, increased fiscal pressures, and displacement. "The current crisis is a stark reminder of the work ahead for the region: not only to weather shocks, but to rebuild more resilient economies with stronger macroeconomic fundamentals, innovate and improve governance, invest in infrastructure, and boost employment-creating sectors," said Ousmane Dione, World Bank Vice President for the Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan and Pakistan. "Peace and stability are preconditions for the region’s durable development. With peace and the right action, countries can build the institutions, capabilities and competitive sectors that create opportunities for people." With this long-term vision in mind, the report takes a close look at the region’s potential for industrial policy – government actions to increase strategic business activity as a driver of economic growth and job creation. In the Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan and Pakistan, the central question is whether such policy is being used in ways that are feasible, accountable, and aligned with countries’ constraints and development goals. Governments in the region have adopted industrial policy at a high rate in the last decade, often through sovereign wealth funds and state-owned enterprises, but the results have been mixed. The report highlights the critical need for strong institutions and careful targeting of policies. "As countries face the heavy toll of the present conflict, it is important to also not lose sight of the work needed for long-lasting peace and prosperity," said Roberta Gatti, World Bank Group Chief Economist for the Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan and Pakistan. 45af034c419b0076453882d8adbf2dc8045c39e5 cq5indextype http://www.worldbank.org/en/region/mena/publication/middle-east-north-africa-afghanistan-and-pakistan-economic-update English /content/region/mena/en/publication/middle-east-north-africa-afghanistan-and-pakistan-economic-update cq5 Publication Publication 45af034c419b0076453882d8adbf2dc8045c39e5 MENAAP Economic Update April 2026 2026-04-08T03:00:00Z Regional GDP is projected to grow by 2.8% in 2025 and 3.3% in 2026, up from 2.3% in 2024, driven by stronger-than-expected performance in Gulf Cooperation Council countries and Developing Oil Importers. bff0823567dc79fec097b9095c764b26a52d68c5 cq5indextype http://www.worldbank.org/en/news/feature/2026/03/04/building-futures-unlocking-affordable-housing-in-egypt English /content/wb-home/en/news/feature/2026/03/04/building-futures-unlocking-affordable-housing-in-egypt cq5 Feature Story Feature Story bff0823567dc79fec097b9095c764b26a52d68c5 Building Futures: Unlocking Affordable Housing in Egypt 2026-03-04T22:50:00Z The World Bank’s Inclusive Housing Finance Program has enabled more than 693,000 low-income households to access formal, affordable housing—strengthening housing security and expanding financial inclusion nationwide. 282530dca10f6e1648f6c36cfa61ae42017bf4a3 cq5indextype http://www.worldbank.org/en/news/feature/2026/02/24/egypt-joins-sff-initiative-to-jumpstart-capital-markets English /content/wb-home/en/news/feature/2026/02/24/egypt-joins-sff-initiative-to-jumpstart-capital-markets cq5 Feature Story Feature Story 282530dca10f6e1648f6c36cfa61ae42017bf4a3 Egypt Joins SFF Initiative to Jumpstart Capital Markets 2026-02-24T09:50:00Z Egypt is joining a major World Bank initiative – the Sustainable Finance Facility (SFF) – to improve domestic capital markets. Together with recent policy initiatives by the government, this comprehensive program can draw more private investment into sectors needed for building a resilient economy while helping the government improve the efficiency and cost of its own domestic financing needs. ee2a868b5bdad24f7938c49989aad670c5ca33f3 cq5indextype http://www.worldbank.org/en/news/factsheet/2026/02/17/lebanon-emergency-assistance-project-frequently-asked-questions English /content/wb-home/en/news/factsheet/2026/02/17/lebanon-emergency-assistance-project-frequently-asked-questions cq5 Factsheet Factsheet ee2a868b5bdad24f7938c49989aad670c5ca33f3 Lebanon Emergency Assistance Project: Frequently Asked Questions 2026-02-17T11:57:00Z Frequently asked questions for the Lebanon Emergency Assistance Project (LEAP), a Government of Lebanon reconstruction project financed by the World Bank (WB), designed to enable sustainable recovery and restore lifeline services and critical infrastructure in areas affected by the 2023-2024 conflict in Lebanon. 316cfb7a5c3b35af0f64a6cb8970f4792e268b49 cq5indextype http://www.worldbank.org/en/news/feature/2026/02/10/-clearherpath-more-women-who-are-blazing-a-trail-in-south-asia English /content/wb-home/en/news/feature/2026/02/10/-clearherpath-more-women-who-are-blazing-a-trail-in-south-asia cq5 Feature Story Feature Story 316cfb7a5c3b35af0f64a6cb8970f4792e268b49 #ClearHerPath: More women who are blazing a trail in South Asia 2026-02-10T12:54:00Z When a woman is empowered economically, the possibilities are endless. She can build businesses, create jobs, strengthen communities, improve a family’s prospects and drive real economic progress. b993333f01d127e87dfbcdae79fc48365c20b2c8 cq5indextype http://www.worldbank.org/en/news/feature/2026/01/27/-clearherpath-meet-women-who-are-blazing-a-trail-in-south-asia-s-workforce English /content/wb-home/en/news/feature/2026/01/27/-clearherpath-meet-women-who-are-blazing-a-trail-in-south-asia-s-workforce cq5 Feature Story Feature Story b993333f01d127e87dfbcdae79fc48365c20b2c8 #ClearHerPath: Meet women who are blazing a trail in South Asia 2026-01-27T11:10:00Z Jobs and economic opportunities open the door for women to reach their full potential, and contribute to the economy, their communities and families. But women across South Asia still face barriers that prevent them from holding a job, climbing the corporate ladder or running a business. 494b2394feb0f8802d26b4a64195de82d24db794 cq5indextype http://www.worldbank.org/en/news/press-release/2026/01/27/lebanon-world-bank-approves-us-350-million-financing-for-social-protection-economic-empowerment-and-digital-transformati English /content/wb-home/en/news/press-release/2026/01/27/lebanon-world-bank-approves-us-350-million-financing-for-social-protection-economic-empowerment-and-digital-transformati cq5 Press Release Press Release 494b2394feb0f8802d26b4a64195de82d24db794 Lebanon: World Bank Approves US$350 Million Financing for Social Protection, Economic Empowerment, and Digital Transformation 2026-01-27T07:30:00Z The World Bank Board of Executive Directors approved yesterday US$350 million in new financing to help Lebanon meet the basic needs of the poor and vulnerable during its economic and financial recovery and improve the delivery of high-impact public services through digital transformation of the public sector. The approved investments span two new projects aimed to positively impact people’s lives by providing social protection to the poor, promoting the economic inclusion of women, youth and vulnerable groups, strengthening social protection delivery systems and accelerating the digitalization of key public services. f56d0983764cb6f0befc9772200e288952de7431 cq5indextype http://www.worldbank.org/en/news/press-release/2026/01/25/world-bank-group-and-qatar-fund-for-development-partner-to-promote-jobs-reconstruction-and-recovery English /content/wb-home/en/news/press-release/2026/01/25/world-bank-group-and-qatar-fund-for-development-partner-to-promote-jobs-reconstruction-and-recovery cq5 Press Release Press Release f56d0983764cb6f0befc9772200e288952de7431 World Bank Group and Qatar Fund for Development Partner to Promote Jobs, Reconstruction, and Recovery 2026-01-25T05:55:00Z The World Bank Group (WBG) and the Qatar Fund for Development (QFFD) signed a Memorandum of Understanding during the official opening of the World Bank Group’s office in Doha, advancing strategic cooperation to deliver innovative and sustainable development solutions globally. 1e62197b7df371e52d952b4c1baa0e63b2da4d65 cq5indextype http://www.worldbank.org/en/news/press-release/2026/01/22/lebanon-economic-rebound-marks-cautious-recovery-amidst-progress-on-reforms English /content/wb-home/en/news/press-release/2026/01/22/lebanon-economic-rebound-marks-cautious-recovery-amidst-progress-on-reforms cq5 Press Release Press Release 1e62197b7df371e52d952b4c1baa0e63b2da4d65 Lebanon: Economic Rebound Marks Cautious Recovery amidst Progress on Reforms 2026-01-22T09:00:00Z The Winter 2025 issue of the Lebanon Economic Monitor (LEM) titled “A Fragile Rebound?” provides an update on key economic developments and analyzes their implications for the country’s outlook. d9528bdf6fe2eb70abd979b1f780d7d9780192f1 cq5indextype http://www.worldbank.org/en/news/press-release/2025/12/17/libya-sustained-strong-growth-requires-structural-change-to-improve-transparency-and-public-financial-management English /content/wb-home/en/news/press-release/2025/12/17/libya-sustained-strong-growth-requires-structural-change-to-improve-transparency-and-public-financial-management cq5 Press Release Press Release d9528bdf6fe2eb70abd979b1f780d7d9780192f1 Libya: Sustained Strong Growth Requires Structural Change to Improve Transparency and Public Financial Management 2025-12-17T10:00:00Z Libya’s economy rebounded strongly in the first nine months of 2025, led by a recovery and expansion in the oil sector, according to the latest World Bank Libya Economic Monitor. 41f33bc6e0b3f58dae31ea61997641564651ff87 cq5indextype http://www.worldbank.org/en/news/infographic/2025/12/10/the-upper-egypt-local-development-program-ueldp-transforming-lives-and-local-economies English /content/wb-home/en/news/infographic/2025/12/10/the-upper-egypt-local-development-program-ueldp-transforming-lives-and-local-economies cq5 Infographic Infographic 41f33bc6e0b3f58dae31ea61997641564651ff87 The Upper Egypt Local Development Program (UELDP) – Transforming Lives and Local Economies NA 2025-12-10T14:55:00Z The Upper Egypt Local Development Program (UELDP) is helping unlock the region’s economic potential by improving infrastructure, strengthening local governance, and supporting local businesses. The Upper Egypt Local Development Program (UELDP) is helping unlock the region’s economic potential by improving infrastructure, strengthening local governance, and supporting local businesses. b3a11fa819be0fde52bd5949c524e948960ee193 cq5indextype http://www.worldbank.org/en/news/feature/2025/12/09/advancing-the-world-bank-group-goal-reaching-1-5-billion-people-with-quality-affordable-health-services-by-2030 English /content/wb-home/en/news/feature/2025/12/09/advancing-the-world-bank-group-goal-reaching-1-5-billion-people-with-quality-affordable-health-services-by-2030 cq5 Feature Story Feature Story b3a11fa819be0fde52bd5949c524e948960ee193 Advancing the World Bank Group Goal: Reaching 1.5 billion people with quality, affordable health services by 2030 2025-12-09T17:25:00Z Universal health coverage drives job-rich growth. With National Health Compacts, digital primary care, and aligned financing, countries and partners expand affordable, quality services toward the World Bank Group’s 1.5 billion goal. a390921434bff89bfc1cfd9a5d0e1db20f62e1d9 cq5indextype http://www.worldbank.org/en/news/press-release/2025/12/06/national-health-compacts-reforms-expand-affordable-care-create-jobs-boost-economic-growth English /content/wb-home/en/news/press-release/2025/12/06/national-health-compacts-reforms-expand-affordable-care-create-jobs-boost-economic-growth cq5 Press Release Press Release a390921434bff89bfc1cfd9a5d0e1db20f62e1d9 Progress Toward 1.5 Billion Health Care Goal Advances as Countries Adopt National Health Compacts Reforms focus on expanding primary care, improving affordability, and supporting job-rich growth TOKYO, Dec. 6, 2025 — Countries and partners today reported continued progress toward the World Bank Group’s goal—set in April 2024—to help deliver affordable, quality health services to 1.5 billion people by 2030. Building on that momentum, 15 countries introduced National Health Compacts, outlining practical, five-year reforms that aim to expand primary health care, improve affordability, and support job-rich economic growth. Since the goal was announced, the World Bank Group and partners have helped countries reach 375 million people with quality, affordable care. Work is now underway with roughly 45 countries to scale proven primary care approaches that strengthen health outcomes while generating employment across health workforces, local supply chains, and supporting industries. This progress comes as governments confront aging populations, rising chronic disease, and financial pressures. The 2025 Global Monitoring Report—released today at the Tokyo Universal Health Coverage High-Level Forum—shows that 4.6 billion people lack access to essential health services and 2.1 billion people face financial hardship due to health expenses. These challenges underscore the need for long-term, coordinated reforms that help countries build more resilient and equitable health systems. “Strong primary health systems do more than safeguard health—they support jobs and economic opportunity,” said Ajay Banga, World Bank Group President. “Countries are stepping forward with clear priorities, and we are working alongside them to deliver practical solutions at scale. When efforts align behind what works, impact grows.” National Health Compacts: Practical, Country-Led RoadmapsIn Tokyo, the 15 participating countries presented National Health Compacts endorsed at the highest levels of government. These Compacts align Health and Finance Ministries behind measurable targets, provide a roadmap for coordinated action, and guide support from development partners around country-led priorities. The reforms focus on three main areas: expanding the reach and quality of primary care, improving financial protection, and strengthening the health workforce. Countries have committed to mobilizing new financing, growing and digitally enabling their health workforce, modernizing facilities, expanding insurance coverage, and using digital tools to improve service delivery. Examples include: Investing in connected, service-ready facilitiesPhilippines is digitally connecting health facilities nationwide.Uzbekistan is digitizing processes to reduce workloads by 30%.Sierra Leone aims for every citizen to access quality primary care within five kilometers, constructing 300 new facilities and equipping 1,800 with solar power and digital connectivity. Diversifying primary care deliveryBangladesh is expanding multi-platform primary care models supported by updated regulation and digital tools.Indonesia is scaling digital primary care, connecting over 600 facilities to hospitals through telemedicine to bring services closer to patients’ homes. Digitally enabling and strengthening the health workforceEthiopia will equip at least 40% of primary health centers with digital tools to support clinical care and workforce management.Saint Lucia is investing in a skilled, digitally enabled workforce and modernizing regulation and education through regional cooperation. Removing financial barriers to careKenya will double public health spending over five years to reach 5% of GDP and expand social health insurance coverage from 26% to 85%, with full subsidies for vulnerable populations.Morocco will extend mandatory health insurance to an additional 22 million people. Boosting regional manufacturing of health products and technologiesNigeria will train 10,000 pharmaceutical and biotech professionals, create Centers of Excellence, and offer tax incentives to expand local production of vaccines, medicines, diagnostics, and health technologies. Supporting Country Priorities Through Partnerships and Financing Progress toward the 1.5 billion goal depends on coordinated support. To help countries advance their National Health Compacts and broader reforms:The World Bank Group, Gavi, and the Global Fund announced aligned financing, including $2 billion co-financed with each institution.Philanthropic partners—working through the Global Financing Facility and the Health Systems Transformation and Resilience Fund—are working to mobilize up to $410 million of philanthropic support to galvanize far greater commitments to critical health areas.Seed Global Health is working with compact countries to build capacity and provide support for assessments, planning, and policy development with a focus on advanced health workforce development.Japan, a long-standing champion of universal health coverage, along with the United Kingdom and others, is providing technical assistance to help countries implement reforms. To strengthen knowledge sharing, Japan, WHO, and the World Bank Group launched the Universal Health Coverage Knowledge Hub, which will support countries with practical, evidence-based solutions and peer learning. The Universal Health Coverage High-Level Forum—co-hosted by the Government of Japan, WHO, and the World Bank Group—brought together health and finance ministers, business leaders, philanthropies, global health agencies, and civil society. The countries that launched National Health Compacts today are Bangladesh, Egypt, Ethiopia, Fiji, Indonesia, Mexico, Morocco, Nigeria, Philippines, Sierra Leone, Syria, Tajikistan, Uganda, Uzbekistan, Zambia. See all National Health Compacts here. 2025-12-06T10:45:00Z Reforms focus on expanding primary care, improving affordability, and supporting job-rich growth TOKYO, Dec. 6, 2025 — Countries and partners today reported continued progress toward the World Bank Group’s goal—set in April 2024—to help deliver affordable, quality health services to 1.5 billion people by 2030. Building on that momentum, 15 countries introduced National Health Compacts, outlining practical, five-year reforms that aim to expand primary health care, improve affordability, and support job-rich economic growth. Since the goal was announced, the World Bank Group and partners have helped countries reach 375 million people with quality, affordable care. Work is now underway with roughly 45 countries to scale proven primary care approaches that strengthen health outcomes while generating employment across health workforces, local supply chains, and supporting industries. This progress comes as governments confront aging populations, rising chronic disease, and financial pressures. The 2025 Global Monitoring Report—released today at the Tokyo Universal Health Coverage High-Level Forum—shows that 4.6 billion people lack access to essential health services and 2.1 billion people face financial hardship due to health expenses. These challenges underscore the need for long-term, coordinated reforms that help countries build more resilient and equitable health systems. “Strong primary health systems do more than safeguard health—they support jobs and economic opportunity,” said Ajay Banga, World Bank Group President. “Countries are stepping forward with clear priorities, and we are working alongside them to deliver practical solutions at scale. When efforts align behind what works, impact grows.” National Health Compacts: Practical, Country-Led RoadmapsIn Tokyo, the 15 participating countries presented National Health Compacts endorsed at the highest levels of government. These Compacts align Health and Finance Ministries behind measurable targets, provide a roadmap for coordinated action, and guide support from development partners around country-led priorities. The reforms focus on three main areas: expanding the reach and quality of primary care, improving financial protection, and strengthening the health workforce. Countries have committed to mobilizing new financing, growing and digitally enabling their health workforce, modernizing facilities, expanding insurance coverage, and using digital tools to improve service delivery. Examples include: Investing in connected, service-ready facilitiesPhilippines is digitally connecting health facilities nationwide.Uzbekistan is digitizing processes to reduce workloads by 30%.Sierra Leone aims for every citizen to access quality primary care within five kilometers, constructing 300 new facilities and equipping 1,800 with solar power and digital connectivity. Diversifying primary care deliveryBangladesh is expanding multi-platform primary care models supported by updated regulation and digital tools.Indonesia is scaling digital primary care, connecting over 600 facilities to hospitals through telemedicine to bring services closer to patients’ homes. Digitally enabling and strengthening the health workforceEthiopia will equip at least 40% of primary health centers with digital tools to support clinical care and workforce management.Saint Lucia is investing in a skilled, digitally enabled workforce and modernizing regulation and education through regional cooperation. Removing financial barriers to careKenya will double public health spending over five years to reach 5% of GDP and expand social health insurance coverage from 26% to 85%, with full subsidies for vulnerable populations.Morocco will extend mandatory health insurance to an additional 22 million people. Boosting regional manufacturing of health products and technologiesNigeria will train 10,000 pharmaceutical and biotech professionals, create Centers of Excellence, and offer tax incentives to expand local production of vaccines, medicines, diagnostics, and health technologies. Supporting Country Priorities Through Partnerships and Financing Progress toward the 1.5 billion goal depends on coordinated support. To help countries advance their National Health Compacts and broader reforms:The World Bank Group, Gavi, and the Global Fund announced aligned financing, including $2 billion co-financed with each institution.Philanthropic partners—working through the Global Financing Facility and the Health Systems Transformation and Resilience Fund—are working to mobilize up to $410 million of philanthropic support to galvanize far greater commitments to critical health areas.Seed Global Health is working with compact countries to build capacity and provide support for assessments, planning, and policy development with a focus on advanced health workforce development.Japan, a long-standing champion of universal health coverage, along with the United Kingdom and others, is providing technical assistance to help countries implement reforms. To strengthen knowledge sharing, Japan, WHO, and the World Bank Group launched the Universal Health Coverage Knowledge Hub, which will support countries with practical, evidence-based solutions and peer learning. The Universal Health Coverage High-Level Forum—co-hosted by the Government of Japan, WHO, and the World Bank Group—brought together health and finance ministers, business leaders, philanthropies, global health agencies, and civil society. The countries that launched National Health Compacts today are Bangladesh, Egypt, Ethiopia, Fiji, Indonesia, Mexico, Morocco, Nigeria, Philippines, Sierra Leone, Syria, Tajikistan, Uganda, Uzbekistan, Zambia. See all National Health Compacts here. 40618f23ba85c76335ee537ff38bdae6afbc7deb cq5indextype http://www.worldbank.org/en/news/press-release/2025/12/04/gcc-economies-demonstrate-resilience-advance-diversification-and-accelerate-digital-transformation English /content/wb-home/en/news/press-release/2025/12/04/gcc-economies-demonstrate-resilience-advance-diversification-and-accelerate-digital-transformation cq5 Press Release Press Release 40618f23ba85c76335ee537ff38bdae6afbc7deb GCC Economies Demonstrate Resilience, Advance Diversification, and Accelerate Digital Transformation 2025-12-04T22:56:00Z The World Bank’s Gulf Economic Update reviews a decade of economic diversification, highlights strong momentum in recent years, and a surge in AI-driven digital transformation. f9c8af7822c579cfd0f4af94056e0c5a5241639c cq5indextype http://www.worldbank.org/en/news/feature/2025/11/24/more-jobs-better-jobs-the-engine-for-egypt-s-future-growth English /content/wb-home/en/news/feature/2025/11/24/more-jobs-better-jobs-the-engine-for-egypt-s-future-growth cq5 Feature Story Feature Story f9c8af7822c579cfd0f4af94056e0c5a5241639c More Jobs, Better Jobs: the Engine for Egypt’s Future Growth Every year, an average of 1.3 million young Egyptians enter the labor market, yet in the same year, only about half a million jobs are created. Additionally, a large majority of women in Egypt are either unemployed or not participating in the labor force. This imbalance underscores the urgency of accelerating job creation—and the immense potential that Egypt’s youth have to create a more sustainable and prosperous future for the country. Achieving full youth employment could increase GDP by 36 percent, and closing the gender employment gap could raise it by an estimated 68 percent. The government’s new economic development narrative, shaped by national priorities and drawing on insights from the World Bank Group and other partners, emphasizes that job creation goes beyond simply increasing employment figures. Achieving sustainable growth requires robust institutions, effective regulations, macroeconomic stability, and an inclusive environment that empowers women and youth. If these measures are fully realized, Egypt’s economy could grow by more than 6 percent annually between 2026 and 2050, generating as many as 2.3 million jobs each year. Empowering Businesses to Create Jobs The private sector already produces about 75 percent of Egypt’s GDP and employs more than 80 percent of the workforce, making it the natural engine of job growth. Yet its full potential is held back by several structural barriers. Access to finance remains limited, with private sector credit standing at less than 30 percent of GDP compared to 47 percent in lower middle-income economies and 135 percent in middle-income countries. State-owned enterprises remain prominent, with 561 entities active in 18 sectors. While the 2022 State Ownership Policy has introduced reforms, the significant presence of these enterprises may present challenges to fostering competition and innovation. Trade barriers and logistics also pose significant constraints to Egypt’s export competitiveness and private sector growth. By easing these constraints—through predictable regulations, better access to land, labor, and capital, and greater transparency—Egypt can strengthen its investment climate and unlock the full potential of private sector-led job creation. Egypt has taken important initial steps to help businesses start, grow, and create jobs. Efforts are underway under the Digital Egypt program to expand online company registration, e-signatures, and e-payments, while ongoing customs modernization is gradually reducing cargo release times—from 16 to 8 days so far. Continued efforts to effectively implement these initiatives on the ground are crucial to ensure citizens can truly benefit from them. Complementary measures to expand access to finance for SMEs, strengthen industrial land allocation, and modernize technical and vocational training will also be key to translating reforms into tangible job creation. Transforming Vision into Action The World Bank Group is working hand in hand with Egypt to translate reforms into real opportunities for people and businesses. One such initiative is the Catalyzing Entrepreneurship for Job Creation Project, which provides both financial support—such as debt financing and equity investments that help small and growing businesses access capital—and non-financial support, including training, mentorship, and advisory services that strengthen business skills and improve access to markets. The project has already created more than 400,000 jobs and supported over 200,000 beneficiaries, 40 percent of whom are women and 40 percent are young people. This project is also nurturing innovation. “Our vision is to build an integrated platform that helps companies manage, incentivize and develop their blue-collar workers. We also aim to provide opportunities for growth and support services for the blue-collar workers themselves,” says Farah Osman, co-founder of Bluworks, an HR-tech startup supported by the program. In Upper Egypt, the World Bank’s Local Development Program is helping businesses in the governorates of Qena, Sohag, Minya, and Assiut access new markets, modernize their operations, and expand. More than 79,000 businesses have already benefited from the program’s support, leading to the creation of around 9,000 jobs. Eighty percent of participating businesses reported that the program had a positive impact on their growth and competitiveness. "The program helped in training and increasing the number of workers," says Naeema Mohamed Abed, who revived the traditional textile Ferka craft and created new opportunities for women in her community. Across multiple sectors, the International Finance Corporation (IFC) is investing in businesses that create and sustain quality jobs—particularly for women and youth. In retail, for example, IFC’s $30 million loan and earlier $15 million equity investment in Kazyon, Egypt’s largest discount grocery chain, are helping the company expand into Morocco and across the region. The investment is supporting 750 new stores and two distribution centers, expected to generate up to 30,000 jobs over the next five years. Beyond direct employment, the project strengthens local supply chains, engages small suppliers, and integrates women into the company’s recruitment and promotion framework—demonstrating how private investment can translate into inclusive, lasting job opportunities. Jobs of the Future The jobs of tomorrow also must be better than those of yesterday. Over the last two decades, most new jobs in Egypt have been created in lower value-added, non-tradable sectors such as construction, retail, and transport. While these sectors remain important, future growth lies in higher-value-added industries. Non-oil manufacturing—including textiles, pharmaceuticals, food processing, electronics, and automotive—offers significant opportunities for expansion. Renewable energy is emerging as a key sector as Egypt advances toward a green transition, while information technology and digital services are growing rapidly alongside the country’s digital transformation. Healthcare will expand in response to population growth and rising demand, and tourism will continue to play a vital role by leveraging Egypt’s rich cultural heritage and natural assets. The World Bank Group has supported the development of Egypt’s Industrial Development and Trade Enhancement Strategy, a roadmap that identifies reforms to boost manufacturing, exports, and job creation in high value-added sectors. It has also provided technical assistance for a new Foreign Direct Investment Strategy, designed to attract investors and channel capital into 13 sectors with strong employment potential. Complementing these efforts, the Bank has advanced analytical work on trade logistics to help reduce trade costs, improve connectivity, and strengthen the link between industrial growth and job creation. Together, these strategies are helping the government define a clearer pathway for private-sector-led, export-driven, and sustainable job growth, forming key building blocks of Egypt’s emerging national economic narrative. Investing in these sectors will diversify the economy, create higher-quality jobs, and spread opportunity beyond the traditional centers of Cairo and Alexandria into governorates across the country. "Creating more and better jobs is the most pressing challenge and greatest opportunity for Egypt’s future," said Stéphane Guimbert, World Bank Division Director for Egypt, Yemen and Djibouti. "Egypt is already taking important steps to empower businesses as engines of job creation, and sustained high-level commitment will be essential to ensure all Egyptians benefit from these efforts. The World Bank Group remains a steadfast partner in supporting reforms and programs that turn this potential into inclusive and sustainable growth." "Lasting job creation depends on a dynamic private sector," said Cheick-Oumar Sylla, IFC’s Division Director for North Africa and the Horn of Africa. "Through our investments and advisory work, IFC is helping Egyptian companies grow, integrate more women and youth into the workforce, and expand across borders – in alignment with the government’s reform agenda and the World Bank’s efforts to strengthen the enabling environment for businesses to thrive." 2025-11-24T02:21:00Z Every year, an average of 1.3 million young Egyptians enter the labor market, yet in the same year, only about half a million jobs are created. Additionally, a large majority of women in Egypt are either unemployed or not participating in the labor force. Every year, an average of 1.3 million young Egyptians enter the labor market, yet in the same year, only about half a million jobs are created. Additionally, a large majority of women in Egypt are either unemployed or not participating in the labor force. This imbalance underscores the urgency of accelerating job creation—and the immense potential that Egypt’s youth have to create a more sustainable and prosperous future for the country. Achieving full youth employment could increase GDP by 36 percent, and closing the gender employment gap could raise it by an estimated 68 percent. The government’s new economic development narrative, shaped by national priorities and drawing on insights from the World Bank Group and other partners, emphasizes that job creation goes beyond simply increasing employment figures. Achieving sustainable growth requires robust institutions, effective regulations, macroeconomic stability, and an inclusive environment that empowers women and youth. If these measures are fully realized, Egypt’s economy could grow by more than 6 percent annually between 2026 and 2050, generating as many as 2.3 million jobs each year. Empowering Businesses to Create Jobs The private sector already produces about 75 percent of Egypt’s GDP and employs more than 80 percent of the workforce, making it the natural engine of job growth. Yet its full potential is held back by several structural barriers. Access to finance remains limited, with private sector credit standing at less than 30 percent of GDP compared to 47 percent in lower middle-income economies and 135 percent in middle-income countries. State-owned enterprises remain prominent, with 561 entities active in 18 sectors. While the 2022 State Ownership Policy has introduced reforms, the significant presence of these enterprises may present challenges to fostering competition and innovation. Trade barriers and logistics also pose significant constraints to Egypt’s export competitiveness and private sector growth. By easing these constraints—through predictable regulations, better access to land, labor, and capital, and greater transparency—Egypt can strengthen its investment climate and unlock the full potential of private sector-led job creation. Egypt has taken important initial steps to help businesses start, grow, and create jobs. Efforts are underway under the Digital Egypt program to expand online company registration, e-signatures, and e-payments, while ongoing customs modernization is gradually reducing cargo release times—from 16 to 8 days so far. Continued efforts to effectively implement these initiatives on the ground are crucial to ensure citizens can truly benefit from them. Complementary measures to expand access to finance for SMEs, strengthen industrial land allocation, and modernize technical and vocational training will also be key to translating reforms into tangible job creation. Transforming Vision into Action The World Bank Group is working hand in hand with Egypt to translate reforms into real opportunities for people and businesses. One such initiative is the Catalyzing Entrepreneurship for Job Creation Project, which provides both financial support—such as debt financing and equity investments that help small and growing businesses access capital—and non-financial support, including training, mentorship, and advisory services that strengthen business skills and improve access to markets. The project has already created more than 400,000 jobs and supported over 200,000 beneficiaries, 40 percent of whom are women and 40 percent are young people. This project is also nurturing innovation. “Our vision is to build an integrated platform that helps companies manage, incentivize and develop their blue-collar workers. We also aim to provide opportunities for growth and support services for the blue-collar workers themselves,” says Farah Osman, co-founder of Bluworks, an HR-tech startup supported by the program. In Upper Egypt, the World Bank’s Local Development Program is helping businesses in the governorates of Qena, Sohag, Minya, and Assiut access new markets, modernize their operations, and expand. More than 79,000 businesses have already benefited from the program’s support, leading to the creation of around 9,000 jobs. Eighty percent of participating businesses reported that the program had a positive impact on their growth and competitiveness. "The program helped in training and increasing the number of workers," says Naeema Mohamed Abed, who revived the traditional textile Ferka craft and created new opportunities for women in her community. Across multiple sectors, the International Finance Corporation (IFC) is investing in businesses that create and sustain quality jobs—particularly for women and youth. In retail, for example, IFC’s $30 million loan and earlier $15 million equity investment in Kazyon, Egypt’s largest discount grocery chain, are helping the company expand into Morocco and across the region. The investment is supporting 750 new stores and two distribution centers, expected to generate up to 30,000 jobs over the next five years. Beyond direct employment, the project strengthens local supply chains, engages small suppliers, and integrates women into the company’s recruitment and promotion framework—demonstrating how private investment can translate into inclusive, lasting job opportunities. Jobs of the Future The jobs of tomorrow also must be better than those of yesterday. Over the last two decades, most new jobs in Egypt have been created in lower value-added, non-tradable sectors such as construction, retail, and transport. While these sectors remain important, future growth lies in higher-value-added industries. Non-oil manufacturing—including textiles, pharmaceuticals, food processing, electronics, and automotive—offers significant opportunities for expansion. Renewable energy is emerging as a key sector as Egypt advances toward a green transition, while information technology and digital services are growing rapidly alongside the country’s digital transformation. Healthcare will expand in response to population growth and rising demand, and tourism will continue to play a vital role by leveraging Egypt’s rich cultural heritage and natural assets. The World Bank Group has supported the development of Egypt’s Industrial Development and Trade Enhancement Strategy, a roadmap that identifies reforms to boost manufacturing, exports, and job creation in high value-added sectors. It has also provided technical assistance for a new Foreign Direct Investment Strategy, designed to attract investors and channel capital into 13 sectors with strong employment potential. Complementing these efforts, the Bank has advanced analytical work on trade logistics to help reduce trade costs, improve connectivity, and strengthen the link between industrial growth and job creation. Together, these strategies are helping the government define a clearer pathway for private-sector-led, export-driven, and sustainable job growth, forming key building blocks of Egypt’s emerging national economic narrative. Investing in these sectors will diversify the economy, create higher-quality jobs, and spread opportunity beyond the traditional centers of Cairo and Alexandria into governorates across the country. "Creating more and better jobs is the most pressing challenge and greatest opportunity for Egypt’s future," said Stéphane Guimbert, World Bank Division Director for Egypt, Yemen and Djibouti. "Egypt is already taking important steps to empower businesses as engines of job creation, and sustained high-level commitment will be essential to ensure all Egyptians benefit from these efforts. The World Bank Group remains a steadfast partner in supporting reforms and programs that turn this potential into inclusive and sustainable growth." "Lasting job creation depends on a dynamic private sector," said Cheick-Oumar Sylla, IFC’s Division Director for North Africa and the Horn of Africa. "Through our investments and advisory work, IFC is helping Egyptian companies grow, integrate more women and youth into the workforce, and expand across borders – in alignment with the government’s reform agenda and the World Bank’s efforts to strengthen the enabling environment for businesses to thrive." a2226f65a2699bf8a960cbf3168a278cdb971d17 cq5indextype http://www.worldbank.org/en/news/feature/2025/11/20/sustainable-fisheries-for-yemen-s-resilience English /content/wb-home/en/news/feature/2025/11/20/sustainable-fisheries-for-yemen-s-resilience cq5 Feature Story Feature Story a2226f65a2699bf8a960cbf3168a278cdb971d17 Sustainable Fisheries for Yemen’s Resilience 2025-11-20T15:48:00Z Despite years of conflict and climate pressures, Yemen’s fisheries remain a source of food, identity, and dignity. d3c942c84fd71cae354a19142ad14db73136a9ba cq5indextype http://www.worldbank.org/en/results/2025/11/19/social-registries-digital-platforms-inclusive-service-delivery English /content/wb-home/en/projects-operations/results/2025/11/19/social-registries-digital-platforms-inclusive-service-delivery cq5 Results Results d3c942c84fd71cae354a19142ad14db73136a9ba Social Registries as Digital Platforms for Inclusive Service Delivery Key HighlightsThe World Bank supported Social Registries—information systems that collect and manage household and individual data to help identify and support beneficiaries to access social programs and services—across 34 countries reaching around 713 million people worldwide since 2001.Brazil’s Cadastro Único, which the World Bank supported through technical assistance and lending operations, connects 94.5 million people, as of September 2025, to 60+ federal programs, including housing, utilities, and vocational training.Rwanda’s Imibereho Social Registry supported by the World Bank now covers 13.8 million people. It has evolved into a national platform supporting safety nets, economic inclusion, skills, and health insurance programs—reaching 11 million beneficiaries though insurance alone. Through data-driven retargeting, Rwanda is set to boost social protection spending efficiency by over 50%.Lebanon’s DAEM Social Registry, supported though the Lebanon Emergency Social Safety Net Project (ESSN), registered half the population of the country in the first two months and has since evolved from an emergency response tool into a central platform, coordinating social assistance, economic inclusion, primary healthcare, and humanitarian programs. 2025-11-19T16:13:00Z The World Bank has supported social registries in 34 countries, reaching 713 million people, that enhance social protection, economic inclusion, service delivery, and employment pathways. Key HighlightsThe World Bank supported Social Registries—information systems that collect and manage household and individual data to help identify and support beneficiaries to access social programs and services—across 34 countries reaching around 713 million people worldwide since 2001.Brazil’s Cadastro Único, which the World Bank supported through technical assistance and lending operations, connects 94.5 million people, as of September 2025, to 60+ federal programs, including housing, utilities, and vocational training.Rwanda’s Imibereho Social Registry supported by the World Bank now covers 13.8 million people. It has evolved into a national platform supporting safety nets, economic inclusion, skills, and health insurance programs—reaching 11 million beneficiaries though insurance alone. Through data-driven retargeting, Rwanda is set to boost social protection spending efficiency by over 50%.Lebanon’s DAEM Social Registry, supported though the Lebanon Emergency Social Safety Net Project (ESSN), registered half the population of the country in the first two months and has since evolved from an emergency response tool into a central platform, coordinating social assistance, economic inclusion, primary healthcare, and humanitarian programs. 562 524 413 279 229 167 124 79 60 50 44 31 27 26 20 19 19 18 18 18 14 12 11 11 10 10 9 8 8 8 7 7 7 6 6 6 5 5 5 5 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 681 324 322 197 103 85 43 41 31 17 15 8 3 4940 11 7