Of Interest
you are currently viewing:Women's Economic-Opportunity Laws Only Half-Enforced GloballyFebruary 24, 2026--Only 4% of women worldwide live in economies that provide nearly full legal equality Even if the laws were fully enforced, women would still enjoy barely two-thirds of the legal rights of men. For the first time, the latest Women, Business and the Law report assesses not only the degree of equality in laws on the books, but also the extent to which those laws are enforced. Legal experts surveyed estimated that laws that encourage full economic participation by women are only half-enforced, indicating that governments have a long way to go. Even as they make progress in establishing new equal-opportunity laws, economies on average have in place fewer than half of the policies and services needed for enforcement. Only 4% of women across the world live in economies that provide nearly full legal equality. That is keeping economies from reaching their full potential to grow and create jobs. Source: worldbank.org |
Fiscal Policy under Pressure: High Debt, Rising Risks
April 15, 2026-Global public debt rose to just under 94 percent of GDP in 2025 and is set to reach 100 percent by 2029- one year earlier than projected in April 2025. This accumulation is driven largely by the world's major economies. Public finances are under strain from mounting spending pressures-on social needs- defense- and strategic autonomy-and rising interest burdens.
War in the Middle East Challenges Global Financial Stability
April 14, 2026-Markets have been broadly orderly so far—but financial stability risks are elevated
Global financial markets entered 2026 from a position of strength. Asset prices rose across major markets- volatility was subdued- and financial conditions were easy by historical standards. That benign backdrop has now been tested by the war in the Middle East.
Global Financial Markets Confront the War in the Middle East and Amplification Risks
April 14, 2026-The April 2026 Global Financial Stability Report assesses elevated financial stability risks amid the war in the Middle East, highlighting how multiple amplification channels could test resilience-and why decisive policy action is needed to safeguard global stability
Global financial stability risks are elevated.
Energy Shock and Uncertainty Slow Growth in East Asia and Pacific
April 8, 2026--Robust support needed for people and firms, deeper reforms for jobs and growth.
Growth in the East Asia and Pacific (EAP) region is slowing in 2026 due to external shocks, says the World Bank Group's EAP Economic Update released today.
Economic Growth to Slow in Europe and Central Asia as Risks Rise
April 8, 2026--Reforms to Build a More Dynamic Private Sector Can Bolster Job Creation and Resilience.
Economic growth in the developing countries of Europe and Central Asia (ECA) is likely to slow substantially this year because of the impact of the conflict in the Middle East, geopolitical tensions, and trade fragmentation, says the World Bank Group's ECA Economic Update, released today.
Global Imbalances: Old Questions, New Answers?
April 6, 2026-Widening global current account imbalances are best addressed by simultaneous domestic policy adjustments. Industrial policy and tariffs offer a costly fix with unreliable effects on imbalances.
OECD Consumer Finance Risk Monitor 2026
April 2, 2026-Consumers face a dynamic and complex financial landscape, shaped by cost-of-living pressures and evolving risks, including scams and frauds.
These challenges, combined with consumer vulnerabilities such as low financial literacy and high levels of debt, threaten households' financial well-being.
March 2026 Labor Market Update: How Women Have Closed the Other Workforce Gender Gap
March 26, 2026-The gap between male and female labor force participation has hit a record low-and it's still falling.
Key points:
In the early 1990s, men held almost 7 million more jobs than women. As of early 2026, that gap had entirely closed.
In recent months, male employment has contracted while female employment has held steady, suggesting the convergence is still accelerating.
Mapped: The World’s Riskiest Markets in 2026
March 26, 2026-While businesses are feeling the adverse impacts of nature loss, they are also beginning to recognise the opportunities a nature-positive economy can offer. From precision agriculture to battery recycling to bio-based materials, new ways of doing business are delivering both long-term resilience and short-term gains.
AI investment and Middle East conflict shape outlook for global trade
March 20, 2026-The outlook for world trade in 2026 will be shaped by two powerful and opposite forces. On the one hand, the extraordinary momentum of investment in artificial intelligence (AI) continues to energize global demand for high-tech goods and digitally delivered services. On the other hand, the conflict in the Middle East -and the resulting spike in energy and transport costs - could weigh heavily on world trade and output.
