PISA 2025: this generation's future is decided in secondary school Jaime SaavedraAndreas BlomVerónica Díaz September 10, 2026 This page in: English Español

https://blogs.worldbank.org/en/latinamerica/pisa-2025-la-secundaria-es-donde-se-juega-el-futuro-de-esta-generacion Learning outcomes among secondary school students fell in most of the countries that take part in PISA. Between 2022 and 2025, the average score of Latin American students dropped 11 points in reading and 4 in mathematics, and held steady in science, continuing a downward trend that goes back to 2018. More serious than this latest decline is that the region is not escaping a low-quality trap, and is slowly sinking deeper into it: our 15-year-olds in Latin America are far from where they should be, more than half do not reach the minimum reading level expected for their age, and 3 out of 4 do not reach the minimum expected level of mathematical reasoning. That long-term stagnation in foundational learning undermines the prospects for sustained growth in the region's productivity, competitiveness and well-being.

Demographic change is coming to South Asia’s classrooms. Will education systems be ready? Mariana MarchionniEmmanuel Jose VazquezMonica Yanez Pagans September 15, 2026 This page in: English

https://blogs.worldbank.org/en/developmenttalk/demographic-change-is-coming-to-south-asia-s-classrooms--will-ed South Asia is approaching a new demographic phase—one that will reshape education systems for decades. Today, it has the second-largest population of children under age 15 in the world, after Sub-Saharan Africa. But that is beginning to change. By 2050, the region’s under-15 population is projected to decline by about 16 percent, from 420 million in 2024 to 352 million.

Beyond Training: What Teachers Need to Transform Learning Koji MiyamotoTara BeteilleMaria Felda Alarkon September 15, 2026 This page in: English

https://blogs.worldbank.org/en/education/beyond-training--what-teachers-need-to-transform-learning On a quiet Monday morning, a teacher at Amban Elementary School in South Cotabato, Philippines, asks her grade 1 students a simple but powerful question: "What color is your feeling today — and what made it that color?" Small hands shoot up. Six-year-olds reach not just for crayons, but for words to describe their inner worlds.

Nature isn't the alternative to modern technology. It is technology Valerie Hickey May 20, 2026 This page in: English Español Русский 中文

https://blogs.worldbank.org/en/voices/nature-isnt-the-alternative-to-modern-technology-it-is-technology Technology is often celebrated as an engine of growth and development, conjuring images of advanced machinery, artificial intelligence, and cutting-edge innovation. Nature, by contrast, is too often considered as something separate from technology, or even something to be protected from or balanced against it. But this framing misses a deeper truth. Nature is ancient intelligence. It is the original AI.

Africa (+...) // Latin America and the Caribbean (+...)

Africa IFC has established a leading position promoting private sector investment in Africa. In fiscal year 2024, IFC provided record financing and broad advisory support to help strengthen markets and create jobs across Africa, including in many of the continent’s fragile and most-in-need countries. https://www.ifc.org/en/where-we-work/africa Latin America and the Caribbean https://www.ifc.org/en/where-we-work/latin-america-and-the-caribbean

East Asia and the Pacific // Middle East and Central Asia // South Asia (+++)...

East Asia and the Pacific Economic growth in East Asia and the Pacific has lifted millions out of poverty over the past decades. Yet overlapping global crises have deepened inequality and led to reversals in development gains. Accordingly, IFC’s key priority is to support a green, resilient, and inclusive growth in the region. https://www.ifc.org/en/where-we-work/east-asia-and-the-pacific Middle East and Central Asia The diverse Middle East and Central Asia region, home to nearly 700 million people, faces five overarching development challenges: unemployment (especially for women and youth), climate change, gender inequality, food and water insecurity, and a lack of competitiveness while several parts are deeply affected by ongoing conflict and fragility. https://www.ifc.org/en/where-we-work/middle-east South Asia Private sector investment is essential if the world is to end extreme poverty and boost shared prosperity by 2030. In South Asia, IFC helps the private sector to create opportunity where it’s needed most by helping sustain and create jobs, improving services for people, expanding access to financial services and promoting inclusive growth. A key focus of IFC’s work in the region is helping countries meet their climate goals. https://www.ifc.org/en/where-we-work/south-asia

Powering Ukraine’s Future: Building Resilience Amid Crisis In the face of widespread infrastructure damage, the country is harnessing private capital and global partnerships to build a more resilient energy system. By Sunita Rappai

Powering Ukraine’s Future: Building Resilience Amid Crisis In the face of widespread infrastructure damage, the country is harnessing private capital and global partnerships to build a more resilient energy system. By Sunita Rappai https://www.ifc.org/en/stories/2026/powering-ukraine-s-future-building-resilience-amid-crisis In Ukraine, children at makeshift nurseries have learned to turn blackouts into a game—cheering every time the lights flicker back on. Like many Ukrainians, they continue to show great resilience to Russia’s invasion. Since February 2022, damage to infrastructure has been extensive, with reconstruction needs now estimated at $524 billion. Around a quarter of Ukrainians have been displaced and the private sector severely disrupted, and ongoing attacks mean about two-thirds of energy generation capacity has been damaged, destroyed, or occupied.