Is decentralisation helping the poorest regions? Evidence from India

Ejaz Ghani, Arti Grover, Homi Kharas, 4 May 2011Services have long been the main source of growth in rich countries. This column argues that services are now the main source of growth in poor countries as well. It presents evidence that services may provide the easiest and fastest route out of poverty for many poor countries.Full Article: Service with a smile: A new growth engine for poor countries

Thomas Hertel, Stephanie Rosch, 17 March 2011Those who rely on agriculture for their livelihoods are among the most vulnerable to climate change – they also happen to be among the world’s poorest. This column argues that policymakers have a duty to help them adapt. It adds that the near-term poverty effects of climate-mitigation policies could even be more significant than climate change itself.Full Article: Climate change and the world’s poorest

Ravi Kanbur, Andy Sumner, 8 November 2011Many poor people no longer live in poor countries. Of the 10 countries that contribute most to global poverty, six are middle-income countries. For many aid organisations, ‘middle-income’ means they no longer qualify for the same financial aid. This column argues that such a policy would be failing up to a billion people.Full Article: Poor countries or poor people? The new geography of global poverty

Yuriy Gorodnichenko, Monika Schnitzer, 8 April 2010How can poor countries stop playing catch up? The question continues to puzzle economists. This column argues that the innovative and productive activities of domestic firms in emerging markets are inhibited by financial frictions. Financial reform policies will be most effective if they target the vulnerable small and young domestic firms, and those in the service sector.