A future in another city? How migration costs shape young people's college choices: Guest post by Merve Demirel Development Impact Guest Blogger November 05, 2026 This page in: English

https://blogs.worldbank.org/en/impactevaluations/a-future-in-another-city--how-migration-costs-shape-young-people A central puzzle in economics is how massive income disparities over space can persist. If the gains from migrating are so large, why do people stay in places with fewer opportunities? Economists often infer that there must be costs that prevent them from leaving. Some of these costs, such as the monetary cost of transport, can be observed and counted. But estimates of these costs are usually not high enough to explain why people don’t move, suggesting other costs may matter more.

From commitment to delivery: How institutions turn development and climate priorities into results Arturo Herrera GutierrezJamie Fergusson November 05, 2026 This page in: English Français Español

https://blogs.worldbank.org/en/voices/from-commitment-to-delivery--how-institutions-turn-development-a Countries have their own climate and development goals and priorities, often ambitious ones. The key challenge is turning these goals and priorities into action. Finance matters, but so do the institutions that translate ambitions into investment decisions, carry priorities through budgets, and implement projects effectively. Drawing on evidence from 103 economies, this year’s Country Climate and Development Report (CCDR) summary, Governance for Climate and Development, examines how governments can bridge the gap from commitment to results.

Why do small businesses still not have bank loans? Is it the firm, the loan price, or the bank? Guest post by Emma Zhang Development Impact Guest Blogger November 06, 2026 This page in: English

https://blogs.worldbank.org/en/impactevaluations/why-do-small-businesses-still-not-have-bank-loans--is-it-the-fir Increasing access to bank loans for small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in low- and middle-income countries is considered vital for economic development. Interventions to boost SME lending exist in most countries, and they are commonly implemented through commercial banks as partial default guarantees or loans with promotional interest rates. These two interventions are widespread even in countries where the fewest SMEs have bank loans, yet the percentage of registered firms that apply in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) remains lower than anticipated.

From “brain drain” to “brain gain”: The case for global skill partnerships in healthcare Limon Bade RodriguezPablo Acosta November 06, 2026 This page in: English

https://blogs.worldbank.org/en/developmenttalk/from--brain-drain--to--brain-gain---the-case-for-global-skill-pa The world faces a shortfall of approximately 15 million health workers. Yet in lower-income countries, many people who could fill these jobs lack the training that would make them competitive at home or abroad. Global Skill Partnerships (GSPs) were designed to close this gap. They finance training in the worker's home country, then place graduates either in domestic jobs (the "home" track) or in safe, orderly, and legal jobs abroad (the "abroad" track). When they work, everyone gains. Sending and receiving countries strengthen their health workforces, workers build skills while their families benefit from higher incomes.

Beverage prices retreat as supplies recover John BaffesKaltrina Temaj July 07, 2026 This page in: English

https://blogs.worldbank.org/en/opendata/beverage-prices-retreat-as-supplies-recover This blog post is part of a special series based on the April 2026 Commodity Markets Outlook, a flagship report published by the World Bank. This series features concise summaries of commodity-specific sections extracted from the report. The World Bank Group’s beverage price index eased further in 2026Q2 to a level about one-third lower than a year earlier. This reversal of the preceding sharp rise in prices reflects improved supply prospects for both cocoa and coffee. After surging by 18 percent in 2025, the index is projected to decline by 30 percent in 2026, before stabilizing in 2027. Beverage markets are expected to face limited disruptions from the conflict in the Middle East but could be affected by a stronger‑than‑expected El Niño.

The Commodity Markets Outlook in eight charts John BaffesKaltrina Temaj October 30, 2026 This page in: English

https://blogs.worldbank.org/en/developmenttalk/the-commodity-markets-outlook-in-eig Commodity prices are set to remain elevated, with the global index projected to rise 23 percent in 2026 before declining 7 percent in 2027. Global commodity prices are projected to increase 23 percent in 2025 before retreating 7 percent in 2027. The outlook hinges on continued supply disruptions, particularly in energy and fertilizer markets, whose price indexes are expected to rise 32 and 14 percent, respectively, in 2026 before easing in 2027. Food prices are projected to increase 10 percent in 2026 amid an intensified El Niño, disruptions to Black Sea grain supplies, higher input costs, and increased diversion to biofuels, especially biodiesel. Metals and minerals prices are expected to rise 28 percent in 2026, reflecting strong demand and limited supply growth, while precious metals prices are projected to increase nearly 40 percent. Risks are tilted to the upside and include prolonged hostilities in the Middle East, stronger-than-expected effects from El Niño, and extended disruptions to Black Sea supplies.

Energy prices strengthened in October; non-energy prices eased—Pink Sheet John BaffesMaria Hazel Macadangdang November 04, 2026 This page in: English

https://blogs.worldbank.org/en/opendata/energy-prices-strengthened-in-november--non-energy-prices-eased- The energy price index rose by 7.1% in October, driven mainly by higher natural gas prices in Europe (+12.1%) and Brent crude oil (+7%), according to the World Bank's Pink Sheet. The non-energy index declined by 1.8%. Agricultural prices fell 1.3% in October, led by a 1.8% decline in food prices, while beverages and raw materials fell 0.7% and 0.2%, respectively. Fertilizers prices rose nearly 1%.