Investment Rating - The report does not explicitly provide an investment rating for the industry under review [3]. Core Insights - The indexation of benefits to inflation is a crucial yet underexplored aspect of adaptive social protection (ASP) systems, which can enhance the adequacy of cash transfers in response to changing economic conditions [11][12]. - A comprehensive analysis of 232 non-contributory cash transfer programs across 158 countries reveals that nearly 80% of these programs incorporate some form of discretionary or automatic indexation, with about one-third utilizing automatic adjustments [12][13]. - The report highlights the evolution of indexation practices over time, noting that while higher-income countries typically have established indexation systems, emerging experiences in lower-income contexts are also noteworthy [13][15]. Summary by Sections Introduction - Food prices have been rising significantly, with some countries experiencing annual food inflation exceeding 40%, and in Argentina, it reached 293% [18]. - The long-term trend shows that real food prices in 2024 are approximately 20% higher than a decade ago and double the levels of the previous two decades [18]. The Case for and Against (Automatic) Indexation - Indexation can be discretionary or automatic, with automatic adjustments providing more predictability and transparency [40]. - Automatic indexation is more prevalent in higher-income countries, while lower-income contexts have fewer examples [65]. Results from Global Indexation Database - Approximately 79% of cash transfer programs adjust benefits, with 68% using ad hoc changes and 32% employing automatic adjustments [60]. - Social pensions are the most commonly automatically indexed cash transfers, with 38% of such programs featuring automatic indexation [70]. Evolution and Adaptations - The report documents significant changes in indexation methods, mechanisms, and frequencies across various countries, illustrating a dynamic evolution in response to inflationary pressures [13][15]. - Countries like India have successfully implemented automatic indexation linked to specific price indices, demonstrating effective adaptation to inflation [47][90]. Conclusions - The report emphasizes the need for a tailored approach to indexation, considering the specific context and objectives of cash transfer programs [16][32]. - It identifies a rich operational agenda for policymakers to enhance the effectiveness of indexation mechanisms in social protection systems [16].

Public Disclosure Authorized Early-Stage Evaluation of the Multiphase Programmatic Approach Public Disclosure Authorized Public Disclosure Authorized Public Disclosure Authorized © 2024 International Bank for Reconstruction and Development / The World Bank 1818 H Street NW Washington, DC 20433 Telephone: 202-473-1000 Internet: www.worldbank.org ATTRIBUTION Please cite the report as: World Bank. 2024. Early-Stage Evaluation of the Multiphase Programmatic Approach. Independent Evaluation Group. Washington, DC ...

Investment Rating - The report does not explicitly provide an investment rating for the industry. Core Insights - Understanding global food production and productivity patterns is essential for addressing poverty, food insecurity, and climate change, with a focus on yield growth patterns across 144 crops covering 98% of global agricultural land and food output [2][7] - The analysis indicates that there has been no discernible slowdown in global yield growth over the past six decades, with an average annual yield increase of approximately 33 kilograms of wheat per hectare [2][44] - The findings suggest that observed deceleration in specific commodities or regions has been offset by gains in others, highlighting the importance of sustainable agricultural practices to ensure food security amid increasing global food demand [2][44] Summary by Sections Introduction - The global population is projected to reach 10 billion by mid-century, making agricultural productivity critical for food supply [7] - Concerns have arisen regarding yield stagnation, particularly in low- and middle-income countries, which could lead to food availability issues [7] Methods and Data - A calorific-based approach is introduced to analyze yield growth, converting crop production into calorific content for better comparison across various crops [9][15] - The study utilizes data from 144 crops from 1961 to 2021, accounting for 98% of global agricultural land [31] Results - Global crop production has nearly quadrupled on a calorific basis over the past six decades, with aggregate global yield rising from approximately 4,330 KCal/ha in 1961 to almost 11,000 KCal/ha in 2021, a 158% increase [34] - The Big-4 commodities (maize, wheat, rice, and soybeans) contributed significantly to yield growth, with their yields tripling during the same period [34] - Emerging markets and developing economies (EMDEs) contributed over 70% to global production growth, with significant yield advancements observed in regions like Southeast Asia and Latin America [34][37] Discussion and Conclusion - The report concludes that global aggregate crop yield has grown consistently at approximately 109 KCal/ha per year from 1961 to 2021, with no evidence of deceleration or acceleration [44] - Future challenges include meeting the expected increase in global food requirements due to population and income growth, necessitating strategic agricultural practices [44]

Policy Research Working Paper 10989 Public Disclosure Authorized Public Disclosure Authorized GDP-Employment Elasticities across Developing Economies Constantin Burgi Shoghik Hovhannisyan Camilo Mondragon-Velez International Finance Corporation December 2024 Public Disclosure Authorized Public Disclosure Authorized Policy Research Working Paper 10989 Abstract Economic growth is often associated with welfare gains through job creation. However, the number and quality of new job opportunities created in a gro ...

Investment Rating - The report does not explicitly provide an investment rating for the primary healthcare (PHC) sector in Armenia. Core Insights - The report emphasizes the urgent need for investment in primary healthcare to effectively address the growing burden of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) in Armenia, which significantly impacts both health outcomes and economic growth [32][33][34]. Summary by Sections Executive Summary - The report outlines the critical role of primary healthcare in addressing NCDs and highlights the need for effective resource allocation to improve health outcomes and economic resilience [30][34]. Background - Armenia has seen improvements in public health indicators, such as life expectancy, but continues to face significant challenges from NCDs, which account for substantial economic losses estimated at nearly US$9 billion annually [32][33]. Key Findings - Despite geographical access to PHC facilities, utilization remains low due to concerns about service availability, quality, and costs. Only 32% of people visited their PHC facility in the past year [57][58]. - Diagnostic accuracy in PHC is around 80%, with significant variations based on provider type and location, indicating a need for improved adherence to clinical standards [60][62]. - Patient satisfaction with PHC providers is high, with over 90% expressing satisfaction with the care received [66]. Current Capacity of Armenia's PHC System - The workforce composition is skewed, with 61% being nurses and a notable shortage of physicians, particularly in rural areas, where the density of physicians is significantly lower than in urban settings [66][67]. - Infrastructure and equipment availability is inadequate, especially in rural facilities, impacting the quality of care delivered [68][69]. - The report identifies gaps in communication and collaboration among healthcare providers, hindering effective service delivery and integration [80][81]. Policy Recommendations - The report suggests that the Ministry of Health should focus on enhancing financing, governance, and processes within the PHC system to improve service delivery and health outcomes [40][44][87].

Investment Rating - The report does not explicitly provide an investment rating for the education sector in Myanmar. Core Insights - The education sector in Myanmar has made significant progress in expanding access and achieving gender parity in enrollment rates before the COVID-19 pandemic, but faced severe disruptions due to the pandemic, military coup, and economic decline, leading to a significant decline in enrollment rates, with 28 percent of children ages 6–17 out of school in 2022–23 [12][13][31] - Despite recent disruptions, primary education net enrollment rate (NER) reached 92 percent in 2024, surpassing pre-pandemic levels, and upper secondary NER increased by 28 percent between 2023 and 2024 [13][43] - Disparities in educational access persist across demographic and socioeconomic characteristics, with females exhibiting higher enrollment rates than males at middle and high school levels, and significant gaps between wealth groups, particularly at middle and high school levels [14][66] Summary by Sections Executive Summary - The report highlights significant progress in Myanmar's education sector prior to the pandemic, but severe disruptions have led to a decline in enrollment rates, with 28 percent of children ages 6–17 out of school in 2022–23 [12][31] Introduction - Myanmar's education sector experienced notable improvements in enrollment rates and gender parity before the pandemic, outperforming global averages and regional peers [20][21] Data and Methodology - The analysis is based on data from the Myanmar Living Conditions Survey 2017 and the Myanmar Subnational Phone Surveys conducted in 2023 and 2024, covering 303 out of 330 townships [33][35] State of Education Access: Levels, Disparities, and Changes - Access to education has improved significantly, with primary NER increasing by 27 percent from 2023 to 2024, reaching 92 percent, while upper secondary NER increased by 28 percent [43][44] - The lower secondary NER has declined by 14 percent, indicating a need for targeted interventions [44] - Gender disparities are evident, with females having higher enrollment rates than males at middle and high school levels, and significant gaps between wealth groups [14][66] Coping with Disruptions in Schooling - Economic hardship is the primary reason for school dropout, cited by 41 percent of respondents, followed by school closures and safety concerns [15] - There has been a shift towards non-state schools among wealthier households, with urban children comprising a significant portion of non-state school enrollment [16] Conclusions - Addressing inequalities in educational access is critical for Myanmar's future stability and prosperity, with recommendations for targeted interventions and support mechanisms [19]

i From Knowledge to Action Lessons from early operationalization of Country Climate and Development Reports Public Disclosure Authorized Public Disclosure Authorized Public Disclosure Authorized Public Disclosure Authorized © 2024 The World Bank Group 1818 H Street NW, Washington, DC 20433 Telephone: 202-473-1000; Internet: www.worldbank.org This work is a product of the staff of The World Bank Group. "The World Bank Group" refers to the legally separate organizations of the International Bank for Reconstru ...

Report number 194676 Public Disclosure Authorized Preventing A Lost Generation: Understanding The State of Out of School Children in Myanmar November2024 Public Disclosure Authorized Public Disclosure Authorized Public Disclosure Authorized © 2024 The World Bank 1818 H Street NW, Washington, DC 20433 Telephone: 202-473-1000; Internet: www.worldbank.org Some rights reserved. This work is a product of the staff of The World Bank. The findings, interpretations, and conclusions expressed in this work do not nec ...

Investment Rating - The report does not explicitly provide an investment rating for the industry Core Insights - Green public procurement (GPP) in Bulgaria constituted approximately 10% to 20% of total public procurement spending from 2011 to 2019, indicating a significant presence despite Bulgaria being a sustainability laggard within the EU [2][14] - GPP is associated with improved competition, as it increases the entry of new firms into the market by 3 to 7 percentage points, while also reducing the likelihood of single bidders by 0.6 to 1.5 percentage points, thus lowering corruption risks [2][14] - GPP contracts are awarded to firms with 14% higher labor productivity, and this effect is even more pronounced in contracts with lower corruption risks, where productivity can be 19% higher [2][14] Summary by Sections Introduction - Public procurement accounts for about 12% of global GDP, with increasing emphasis on sustainability and environmental impact in recent years [8] - GPP is increasingly recognized as a policy tool, yet evidence on its interaction with traditional procurement objectives is limited [9] Methodology - The study utilizes a comprehensive dataset of 148,637 contracts from Bulgaria's national e-procurement portals, covering the period from 2011 to 2019 [42] - A keyword-based matching algorithm is employed to identify GPP contracts, resulting in approximately 6,500 GPP tenders and 11,000 green contracts [47] Results - GPP spending as a share of total public procurement fluctuated between 8% and 26% from 2011 to 2019, with a notable decline after 2016 [78] - The highest GPP spending was observed in sectors such as sewage and environmental services, construction, and water purification [83] - GPP enhances competition by encouraging new market entrants and reducing the market share of winning suppliers [90]

Investment Rating - The report does not explicitly provide an investment rating for the industry discussed Core Insights - The climate mitigation policies of the EU, US, and China are expected to reshape trade dynamics for developing countries, impacting demand for fossil fuels and energy-intensive manufacturing while creating opportunities in critical minerals and renewable energy technologies [2][9] - The policies will likely lead to reduced oil prices and increased prices for critical minerals, facilitating a decrease in green technology costs and promoting green foreign investment [2][9] Summary by Sections Section 1: Introduction - The EU, US, and China are responsible for nearly half of global greenhouse gas emissions and are implementing various climate policies to mitigate these emissions [7] - The EU focuses on emissions pricing through the EU Emissions Trading System (ETS), while the US emphasizes subsidies via the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), and China utilizes an intensity-based ETS [7][9] Section 2: Climate Change Mitigation Policies - The EU's Fit for 55 package aims for a 55% reduction in GHG emissions by 2030, while the US IRA allocates approximately $370 billion over ten years for green energy initiatives [14][15] - China's climate policy includes significant investments in renewable energy, with nearly $760 billion spent from 2010 to 2019, making it the largest investor in this sector [16] Section 3: Impacts on Trade - The report identifies three main channels through which climate policies affect developing countries: shifts in supply and demand, price changes, and access to technology [9][66] - Developing countries that produce low-carbon goods may benefit from increased export opportunities, while those reliant on fossil fuel exports may face significant challenges [25][73] Section 4: Policy Recommendations - The report suggests that developing countries should adapt their policies to leverage opportunities from the green transition while mitigating negative impacts from climate policies enacted by major economies [2][9]