In the first half of 1999, Kyrgyz authorities agreed with the International Development Association (IDA) that a review of Kyrgyz social expenditures, giving particular emphasis to health and education expenditures, would be valuable. This report presents findings from the resulting review...

In the first half of 1999, Kyrgyz authorities agreed with the International Development Association (IDA) that a review of Kyrgyz social expenditures, giving particular emphasis to health and education expenditures, would be valuable. This report presents findings from the resulting review...

The report reviews the substantial progress Costa Rica made over the past decade in reducing poverty and improving social indicators. However, while economic growth certainly reduced poverty rates, the country's recent experience shows that relying on economic growth and increased public...

"In many developing countries, achieving the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) by 2015 will require significant increases in expenditures on social services and in foreign assistance. It will also require careful planning of the sector allocation and sequencing of public spending. Especially...

After more than a decade of strong growth, interrupted only by the 2008-2009 global financial crisis, Belarus' economy has encountered major headwinds. Since 2012, growth has stalled, macroeconomic imbalances have intensified, and public finances have deteriorated. Unlike regional peers, the...

The Russia Social Expenditure Review (SER) has been undertaken by the human development team in the Europe and Central Asia Region of the World Bank at the request of the Ministry of Finance of the Russian Federation. This Report presents the key findings of the Russia SER work. The key...

This report aims to provide technical assistance to the Government of Lithuania in preparation for the June 2009 budget amendment and beyond. This Public Expenditure Review (PER) includes a number of recommendations on short run fiscal consolidation (mainly through spending cuts) as well as...

The evolution of Costa Rica's social sectors over the past decade has been dichotomous. On the one hand, economic growth has remained relatively high, however poverty and inequality have not declined (moreover, they have increased), and persistent employment challenges remain. On the other hand,...

Honduras has experienced moderate economic growth in the past decade, in line with the rest of the region. Despite this growth track record, limited opportunities for decent jobs for the majority of workers have resulted in stagnant poverty and inequality rates that are still the highest in...