Economic growth in the developing world has been accompanied by massive increases in higher education enrollment. This can feed a country’s development—but it also puts new pressures on a country’s leaders and workers.
Aug 29, 2013•7 min
As the economies of the developing world expand, new jobs beckon. But Richard Freeman says these countries have seen a surprising persistence of informal sector jobs—which offer low pay and scant worker protection.
Aug 22, 2013•6 min
Si vous faites partie de ces milliers de gens qui envoient de l'argent à leurs parents et amis à l'étranger, attention! Peut-être faites-vous autant de mal que de bien, selon un économiste du FMI. Ces envois de fonds peuvent certes secourir des familles dans le besoin, mais ils peuvent aussi saper la croissance économique.
Aug 01, 2013•7 min
If you are one of the hundreds of thousands of people who send money abroad to friends and relatives, beware! You may be doing as much harm as good, suggests one IMF economist. Although these remittances can be a lifeline for families, they can also undermine economic growth.
Jul 25, 2013•6 min
Developed countries need to be industrious like ants, says economist, Peter Blair Henry. For years they have offered advice to developing countries on the best path to growth. They might benefit from heeding some of their own advice, he suggests.
Jul 19, 2013•7 min
La croissance de l'économie mondiale est inférieure aux prévisions, note le FMI dans son dernier rapport sur les Perspectives de l'économie mondiale. Le FMI a révisé à la baisse la croissance pour cette année à 3,1 %, et préviens que les risques augmentent en particulier dans les pays émergents.
Jul 09, 2013•5 min
The global economy is growing more slowly than expected, says the IMF in its latest assessment. It's revise growth downwards to 3.1 percent this year, and warns risks are rising in emerging markets.
Jul 09, 2013•5 min
Unemployment is a worry around the world, but it's a particularly pressing issue for developing countries with their growing, young population. Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) can be an important source of new jobs, IF governments provide the them with the right encouragement.
Jul 03, 2013•5 min
De nombreux pays créent des cartels à fin de contrôler le prix d'importants produits de base, dans le but de tirer le maximum de recettes, ou de protéger d'importants secteurs d'activité locaux. Cependant, nombreux sont ceux qui reprochent aux cartels de pénaliser les consommateurs. Nous examinons le pour et le contre des cartels, en partant de l'exemple de la production du sirop d'érable.
Jun 27, 2013•8 min
Many countries create cartels to control the price of important commodities because they want to maximize their income or protect key domestic industries. But the use of cartels is criticized for causing higher prices for consumers. We investigate the pros and cons of cartels through the example of the maple syrup industry.
Jun 27, 2013•8 min
When it comes to borrowing money on the international financial markets, several countries of sub-Saharan Africa can now access money at cheaper rates than some European nations. The change is historic and could open up exciting opportunities for the continent.
Jun 20, 2013•6 min
Despite outnumbering men as college graduates within OECD countries, women are still underrepresented at the very top managerial levels, particularly in finance and business. In this podcast a group of women veterans of Wall Street describe how they got to Wall Street, what they found there, and offer advice to young women who want to get there. Read the associated article from Finance & Development magazine: http://www.imf.org/external/pubs/ft/fandd/2013/06/fang.htm
Jun 14, 2013•7 min
Many of the economies of sub-Saharan Africa are performing better than much of Europe. In fact, the region has just completed one of the best decades of growth since the 1960s. This is because it has learnt lessons from the past, say Uganda's finance minister, Maria Kiwanuka who is optimistic about the outlook for the continent.
Jun 06, 20130
More women in sub-Saharan Africa participate in the labor force than in any other region. But, most still face an uphill struggle to make ends meet. For them, the problem isn't finding work—it's the kind of work they do.
May 30, 20130
La réussite économique d'un pays dépend beaucoup du niveau d'éducation de sa population. Mais Rabah Arezki avance qu'une administration publique hautement éduquée est aussi cruciale pour la croissance.
May 30, 20130
A country's economic success depends a lot on how educated its population is. But as Rabah Arezki argues in an article in June's issue of Finance & Development, a highly educated civil service, in particular, can help promote growth for all.
May 23, 20130
Some economists say that a country’s exports can determine its economic fate. But William Maloney rejects the idea that exports play such a critical role. He says it’s not what you export, but how you do it.
May 16, 20130
With a gradually improving outlook for the global economy, growth in sub-Saharan Africa is set to strengthen to 5.5%, according to the IMF's latest forecast for the region. But growth patterns vary within the region.
May 10, 20130
Grâce à l'amélioration progressive des perspectives économiques mondiales, le taux de croissance devrait atteindre 5,5 % en Afrique subsaharienne, selon les dernières prévisions du FMI. Mais ce chiffre masque des disparités au sein de la région.
May 10, 20130
In recent years, commodity prices have been riding high, and many commodity dependent countries have benefited from these high prices. But this boon is unlikely to last forever: prices may fall, and nations can run out of key commodities.
May 07, 20130
When a country shifts from being largely based on agrarian economy, to being based on services, or industry, it is said to have undergone structural change. This was the basis of economic development in many Asian countries. Harvard's Dani Rodrik explains why structural change is so critical to development.
Apr 25, 20130
Although global growth is expected to reach 3.3% this year, and 4% in 2014, the health of the world's economy is mixed. Olivier Blanchard, Chief Economist at the IMF explains that although the worst is behind us, policymakers still can't afford to relax.
Apr 16, 20130
Bien qu'une croissance mondiale de 3,3 % soit prévue cette année, et de 4 % en 2014, la santé de l'économie mondiale est mitigée. Blanchard, économiste en chef au FMI, explique que, si nous avons passé le pire, les dirigeants ne peuvent toujours pas se permettre de relâcher leur effort.
Apr 16, 20130
In the last two decades, many low-income countries have experienced economic take off. But in the 60s and 70s, many of these same countries already boasted robust economic performances, until it all came to an abrupt stop. Can low-income countries keep on growing, this time?
Apr 10, 20130
Dans le processus de développement, les pays subissent des changements structurels. Autrement dit, leurs priorités économiques évoluent d'un secteur à l'autre. Ils diversifient leurs produits, favorisant ainsi leur ascension économique. Mais quand un pays aussi vaste que la Chine procède à des réformes structurelles, l'impact se ressent au-delà de ses frontières.
Apr 04, 20130
When you want to get a better job or achieve personal development, you might choose to increase your skills. This might mean learning something new, or acquiring more education. It's the same with countries, if they want to climb up the ladder of development, they need to develop their capacity, or "capabilities," says top economist Ricardo Hausmann.
Apr 04, 20130
تأخرت بلدان منطقة الشرق الأوسط وشمال إفريقيا عن اللحاق بركب اقتصادات الأسواق الصاعدة والبلدان النامية في مجالي النمو الاقتصادي والتجارة على مدار العقدين الماضيين، ولم تكن التجارة في هذه البلدان بمثابة المحرك القوي للنمو مقارنة بالبلدان الأخرى. تركز مقالة في عدد مجلة التمويل والتنمية لصندوق النقد الدولي على هذه المستويات المنخفضة في التجارة في المنطقة. ويوضح الخبير الاقتصادي "أمين ماتي" كيف يمكن توسيع نطاق النمو في المنطقة.
Apr 03, 2013•5 min
In many countries, governments often subsidize the energy sector keeping the price of power lower than it might otherwise be. The aim is to protect the poor by keeping prices low. But, a new study by the International Monetary Fund suggests that these subsidies don't always have the desired effect.
Mar 27, 20130
Les subventions énergétiques jouent un rôle important dans de nombreuses régions du monde. Elles peuvent aider les pauvres en facilitant leur accès à l'énergie. Toutefois, une nouvelle étude du FMI indique que ces subventions ont souvent des conséquences imprévues.
Mar 27, 20130
Supporters of globalization say that globalization creates growth by encouraging people and countries to interact and trade with each other across national borders. But, has the focus on international integration caused policymakers to overlook the need to integrate their national economies?
Mar 26, 20130