World Bank

World Bank chief warns of looming jobs crisis even after Iran war ends

World Bank chief said governments must balance immediate crises with long-term priorities including job creation, clean water access and electrification

Updated On: 13 Apr 2026 | 1:16 PM IST

India got highest number of regressive tax recommendations from IMF: Oxfam

India received the highest number of regressive tax recommendations from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) between 2022 and 2024, according to an analysis by Oxfam. The analysis, released ahead of the IMF and World Bank spring meetings in Washington, has flagged that the global body is applying "double standard" by giving largely progressive advice to wealthy countries while suggesting regressive measures for others that are "likely to exacerbate inequality". The report said 59 per cent of the IMF's tax advice to low- and lower-middle-income countries was regressive, while 52 per cent of its recommendations to high-income countries were progressive. A regressive tax refers to a uniform taxation system which burdens those in lower income groups more than high earners. In contrast, a tax levied in proportion to one's income is termed progressive. Oxfam examined 1,049 tax recommendations made by the IMF to 125 countries between 2022 and 2024 and found that only 30 recommendations,

Updated On: 13 Apr 2026 | 11:18 AM IST

IMF, World Bank meet to assess fallout of Trump's Iran war on growth

IMF chief Kristalina Georgieva warned that the international community is becoming less able to respond to shocks

Updated On: 12 Apr 2026 | 9:37 PM IST

World Bank releases $340 mn for Amaravati, $150 mn more likely in April

The World Bank has released USD 340 million so far for the Amaravati Capital Phase-I development, a top official from the international financial institution has said. Andhra Pradesh is likely to get another USD 150 million by the end of April, a senior state government official said. "In April, we are getting another USD 130-150 million from both the entities (WB and ADB)." The rate of interest would be about 8 to 8.5 per cent and will keep fluctuating depending upon the international rates, the official said. The World Bank, along with the Asian Development Bank have committed USD 1,600 million (USD 800 each) for the Amaravati Capital Phase-I development. Besides the WB and ADB, the Centre will be funding Rs 1,400 crore, out of the Rs 15,000 crore committed by it. "In terms of disbursements, the World Bank has issued USD 340 million as of April 2026. The AIUDP (Amaravati Integrated Urban Development Programme) is being implemented under the Program for Results framework, under wh

Updated On: 12 Apr 2026 | 11:59 AM IST

West Asia oil shock threatens India despite robust buffers: World Bank

High oil prices pose risks but India's strong buffers, resilient exports and policy space can help navigate global uncertainty, says the World Bank

Updated On: 09 Apr 2026 | 11:26 PM IST

India well placed to handle energy shock, backed by strong buffers: WB

The World Bank on Thursday said India is well placed to weather the current global energy shock with ample buffers, including high foreign exchange reserves, fiscal space and low inflation, which will support growth despite global headwinds. Addressing a conference a day after raising India's GDP growth projections for the current fiscal to 6.6 per cent, the World Bank said India had dealt well the trade turbulence last fiscal and the Indian economy entered the current Middle East crisis, which has led to volatility in oil markets, "from a position of strength". World Bank Regional Practice Director, Prosperity, for South Asia, Sebastian Eckardt said, "India has strong policy buffers, high Forex reserves, fiscal space, to provide support as needed, as well as low inflation, and strong goals moment going into this current shock. And that strong growth momentum is supported by gross positive policies, including the EU FTA the new labour, all of these things, of course, reinforced and

Updated On: 09 Apr 2026 | 4:25 PM IST

India's projected 6.6% growth in FY27 skewed to downside: World Bank

Retail inflation is projected at ​4.9% for the current fiscal year ‌reflecting higher food and ​energy prices ‌and exchange depreciation pressure

Updated On: 09 Apr 2026 | 12:54 PM IST

IMF, World Bank warn of rising food prices due to West Asia conflict

The International Monetary Fund, the World Bank and the World Food Programme have said that the war in the Middle East has triggered one of the largest disruptions to global energy markets and will inevitably lead to rising food prices and food insecurity. In a joint statement, the heads of the three organisations said the burden of rising food prices will fall most heavily on the world's most vulnerable populations. "The Middle East war is upending lives and livelihoods in the region and beyond. It has already triggered one of the largest disruptions to global energy markets in modern history. "Sharp increases in oil, gas, and fertiliser prices, together with transport bottlenecks, will inevitably lead to rising food prices and food insecurity," said the joint statement issued after a meeting of the heads of the three institutions on Wednesday. They said the three organisations will continue to monitor the developments closely and coordinate the use of all available tools to suppo

Updated On: 09 Apr 2026 | 10:03 AM IST

World Bank raises India FY27 growth forecast to 6.6% amid headwinds

World Bank upgrades India's FY27 growth outlook to 6.6% on strong domestic demand, but flags inflation risks and slowdown due to West Asia conflict

Updated On: 09 Apr 2026 | 12:05 AM IST

IMF, IEA, World Bank join hands to manage West Asia crisis impact

IMF, IEA and World Bank form coordination group to assess and manage energy and economic fallout of West Asia crisis, focusing on supply disruptions and global stability

Updated On: 02 Apr 2026 | 7:12 PM IST

Beyond G2: Why middle powers must build a new order independently

The G2 benefit from their ability to craft rules to suit themselves. They cannot be trusted to reform anything

Updated On: 27 Mar 2026 | 10:46 PM IST

India's hidden credit constraints: Issue lies in pricing, regulation

Data from the Reserve Bank of India (RBI), the Securities and Exchange Board of India (Sebi), and the World Bank suggests that India is a global outlier in the relative size of our credit markets

Updated On: 23 Mar 2026 | 10:37 PM IST

Indian cities don't lack infrastructure, what they lack is civic trust

While our cities need investment, they also need something harder to build and easier to ignore to become truly livable

Updated On: 18 Mar 2026 | 10:37 PM IST

Gita Gopinath warns fiscal space 'depleted' for long-lasting Iran war

Gita Gopinath said the world economy is already facing a slowdown in growth in 2026 due to higher oil prices in the wake of the conflict that erupted less than two weeks ago

Updated On: 11 Mar 2026 | 7:46 AM IST

Multilateralism has role to play in tumultuous times: World Bank president

"The private sector and private capital mobilisation, combined with the money you can get from the public sector, combined with philanthropy, that's a good combination to work with," Banga said

Updated On: 13 Feb 2026 | 11:06 AM IST

How to generate employment for the world's 1.2 billion new workers

Over the next 10 to 15 years, 1.2 billion young people in developing countries will come of working age - a scale the world has never seen

Updated On: 11 Feb 2026 | 12:46 PM IST

Karnataka PSU borrowing model a template for states: World Bank

Karnataka's move to include PSU and SPV debt in state liabilities offers a template to curb off-budget borrowings and improve fiscal transparency, a World Bank report says

Updated On: 06 Feb 2026 | 11:33 PM IST

Pak must create 30 mn jobs in 10 yrs to avoid instability: World Bank chief

Banga said Pakistan's population dynamics mean employment creation will remain a binding constraint on growth over the long term, rather than a secondary policy goal

Updated On: 05 Feb 2026 | 12:17 PM IST

Two decades of FRLs fail to rein in debt in several states: World Bank

A World Bank report to the 16th Finance Commission says state fiscal rules improved headline deficits, but debt levels remain high and uneven across several large states

Updated On: 04 Feb 2026 | 11:22 PM IST

World Bank to boost private jobs in India with $8-10 bn annual lending

New five-year partnership framework with India will focus on private sector-led job creation, skills, infrastructure and mobilisation of private capital

Updated On: 30 Jan 2026 | 11:33 PM IST