Europe and Central Asia has announced more than 2,600 industrial policies since 2009 — more than one new intervention every day for sixteen years. But have these policies actually delivered stronger growth, resilience, and diversification? In this episode, we unpack the findings of the World Bank’s Spring 2026 Europe and Central Asia Economic Update. From slowing growth and persistent inflation to rising subsidies and geopolitical pressures, the discussion explores why industrial policy has returned to the center of economic strategy across the region. The episode examines what tends to make industrial policy succeed, where it often fails, and why open trade, competitive markets, and structural reforms remain essential foundations for long-term growth.

Generated with AI using wondercraft.ai and guided by our experts.

Read more at https://openknowledge.worldbank.org/server/api/core/bitstreams/f6424ef3-a279-4872-a77a-34cf01c4c8af/content

Ninety-nine percent of people worldwide breathe air that fails to meet safety standards. In this episode of the World Development Report 2025: Standards for Development mini series, we explore why standards alone are not enough—and what happens when enforcement, data, and capacity fall short. Drawing on Chapters 6–8, the episode unpacks the “compliance gap,” where strict rules exist on paper but fail in practice. We examine how weak monitoring systems leave governments unable to enforce air quality standards, how fragmented regulations shift pollution across borders, and how better-designed systems—from China’s coordinated reforms to Rwanda’s tiered standards—can deliver real results. The episode also looks beyond air, showing how standards shape public sector performance, service delivery, and global coordination in an increasingly complex world. Generated with AI using wondercraft.ai and guided by our experts. Read more at https://www.worldbank.org/en/publication/wdr2025

47% fewer fatalities—just by using a simple surgical checklist. In this second episode of the World Development Report 2025: Standards for Development (WDR25) mini series, we explore how standards can make—or break—firms and the delivery of essential services. Drawing on Chapters 4 and 5 of the WDR25 report, we examine how the rise of technical regulations—now covering nearly 90% of global trade—has reshaped opportunities for firms while creating costly barriers.

The episode also shows how the same standards shape health and education outcomes—from checklists that reduce fatalities to adaptive teaching models that double learning gains. We highlight how countries can lower compliance costs through domestic quality infrastructure and alignment, while adopting phased, process-oriented standards to expand access and improve service delivery. Generated with AI using wondercraft.ai and guided by our experts.

Read more at https://www.worldbank.org/en/publication/wdr2025