The COVID-19 pandemic has halted economic activity worldwide, hurting firms and pushing many of them toward bankruptcy. This paper discusses four central issues that have emerged in the academic and policy debates related to business financing during the downturn.

COVID-19 is likely to exacerbate inequality, especially in richer countries where better paid and educated workers are insulated from the shock. This paper presents new estimates of the share of jobs that can be performed from home. The analysis is based on the task content...

This report documents the extent to which conflict, crime and violence have become internationalised in recent years. The report unpacks the political economy of crime, conflict, and violence, the understanding of which is critical for the effectiveness of humanitarian, development and security assistance.

Global growth is projected to reach 2.5 percent in 2020, slightly faster than the post-crisis low registered last year. This World Bank flagship report argues that urgent action is needed to implement measures to rebuild the macroeconomic policy space and to undertake reforms to rekindle...

Doing Business 2020 is the 17th in a series of annual studies investigating the regulations that enhance business activity and those that constrain it. It provides quantitative indicators covering 12 areas of the business environment in 190 economies.