The Development Podcast

***Update: This episode was recorded in early March and makes several references to the World Bank’s fast-track financing facility to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic. Since recording, the value of that package has increased from $12bn to $14bn. The podcast may contain references to the earlier figure.***

As coronavirus has rapidly spread around the globe – infecting more than 100,000 and killing more than 4,000 – healthcare systems and economies are coming under pressure.

Of particular concern: Africa, where many healthcare systems are fragile and may struggle to provide care to the most severely-affected patients. For the latest, we get an on-the-ground view from Africa Centers for Disease Control Deputy Director Dr. Ahmed Ogwell – who has been traversing the continent helping countries prepare.

In Washington, we hear from the World Bank Group’s Global Director for Health, Nutrition, and Population, Dr. Muhammed Pate, about an emergency support package the Bank has announced – valued at up to $12bn – to help countries preparing for or responding to the outbreak.

And as always, we bring you the data driving this story.

It all comes to you from the World Bank headquarters in Washington, DC. Subscribe, listen, share, and review!

Just in time for International Women's Day, this special bonus episode the Development Podcast looks at Women, Business, and the Law - major research analyzing female economic inclusion worldwide.

Just eight countries have a perfect score of 100 and globally, on-average women have just three quarters of the rights of men. But researchers are seeing progress and reason for hope.

For decades, developing countries have faced the threats of undernutrition, stunting and starvation. While those problems haven’t gone away, incredible progress has been made. Now, a new threat looms: Obesity and excess weight.

In the latest episode of The Development Podcast, we hear from researchers at the forefront of new analysis into this “double-burden” of undernutrition and obesity.

First up, we get the view from Mexico City, where pediatrician Dr. Salvador Villalpando talks through the economic and cultural factors that are driving alarming obesity trends among his patients – especially young children.

From there, we get the global picture with the World Bank’s Nutrition Lead, Dr. Meera Shekar, and the University of North Carolina’s Distinguished Professor of Nutrition, Dr. Barry Popkin. They globe-spanning research paints an alarming picture – but we’ll go beyond the headline figures and look at some of the solutions that are being tried around the world. What’s working? What’s not?

It all comes to you from the World Bank Headquarters in Washington, DC. Listen, rate, review, and subscribe!

For decades, developing countries have faced the threats of undernutrition, stunting and starvation. While those problems haven’t gone away, incredible progress has been made. Now, a new threat looms: Obesity and excess weight.

In the latest episode of The Development Podcast, we hear from researchers at the forefront of new analysis into this “double-burden” of undernutrition and obesity.

First up, we get the view from Mexico City, where pediatrician Dr. Salvador Villalpando talks through the economic and cultural factors that are driving alarming obesity trends among his patients – especially young children.

From there, we get the global picture with the World Bank’s Nutrition Lead, Dr. Meera Shekar, and the University of North Carolina’s Distinguished Professor of Nutrition, Dr. Barry Popkin. They globe-spanning research paints an alarming picture – but we’ll go beyond the headline figures and look at some of the solutions that are being tried around the world. What’s working? What’s not?

It all comes to you from the World Bank Headquarters in Washington, DC. Listen, rate, review, and subscribe!

It's one of the most anticipated – and closely watched – reports in the world of entrepreneurship. Each year, the World Bank's "Doing Business" team analyzes and ranks – literally, like football standings – the world's economies for how easy (or hard) they make it to start a business.

In this inaugural episode of The Development Podcast we go inside the rankings, revealing just where you'll have the easiest time launching your next venture – and which countries could be the next global startup hub.

We also get the view from Togo – the tiny West African country that is making big reforms to boost its business sector.

Finally, Rita Ramalho, the woman in charge of ranking the world's most business-friendly economies, walks us through the report – how it's compiled, what's going on in China, and why not a single Latin American country is in the list of top 50 best places for business.

***Editor's note: Elements of this program that discuss the Chinese economy were recorded before a recent outbreak of a coronavirus in the country.***

It's one of the most anticipated – and closely watched – reports in the world of entrepreneurship. Each year, the World Bank's "Doing Business" team analyzes and ranks – literally, like football standings – the world's economies for how easy (or hard) they make it to start a business.

In this inaugural episode of The Development Podcast we go inside the rankings, revealing just where you'll have the easiest time launching your next venture – and which countries could be the next global startup hub.

We also get the view from Togo – the tiny West African country that is making big reforms to boost its business sector.

Finally, Rita Ramalho, the woman in charge of ranking the world's most business-friendly economies, walks us through the report – how it's compiled, what's going on in China, and why not a single Latin American country is in the list of top 50 best places for business.

***Editor's note: Elements of this program that discuss the Chinese economy were recorded before a recent outbreak of a coronavirus in the country.***

The Development Podcast brings together the data, research—and solutions—that can pave the way to a sustainable global future. From poverty to climate change, education to nutrition, and a whole lot more. Listen to this flagship podcast from the World Bank Group and subscribe for free on your favorite platform.

Hosts Raka Banerjee and Paul Blake preview what to expect from the World Bank Group's new flagship series.