The jobs illusion: what public works programs can and cannot do Arthur Alik LagrangeClément Imbert May 13, 2026 This page in: English © 2026 The World Bank Group,

https://blogs.worldbank.org/en/developmenttalk/the-jobs-illusion--what-public-works-programs-can-and-cannot-do Across the world, policymakers are asking a seemingly simple question: what does actually work to create more and better jobs? With jobs now at the center of the World Bank Group's development strategy, this focus is both timely and necessary because jobs are not just an outcome of prosperity, they are a path to it This calls for a fresh look at what the evidence says about public works programs — also known as: workfare or cash‑for‑work. These programs are among the most prominent social protection instruments in low‑ and middle‑income countries, spanning rural employment guarantees, national safety nets, and large-scale urban youth programs across Africa, Asia, and Latin America. © 2026 The World Bank Group,