All articles

Climate change causes conflict: How can policy respond?

Climate change is projected to cause an increase in numerous forms of violent human behaviour. Policies like a robust social safety net and political inclusion can help ensure a more peaceful future.

Institutions & Political Economy

Marshall Burke Joel Ferguson Solomon Hsiang Edward Miguel

Published

13.12.24

Digital reforms at Colombian ports: A win-win for growth and tax revenues

Computerising customs at Colombia’s major ports boosted trade, reduced corruption, improved firm performance, and increased tax collections.

Trade

Rachid Laajaj Marcela Eslava Tidiane Kinda

Published

13.12.24

Improving hygiene, reducing menstrual stigma, and boosting learning in schools

A hygiene- and menstruation-focused intervention in Madagascan schools boosted learning, while also reducing stress and improving the psychosocial climate of schools.

Health

Julieta Vera Rueda Karen Macours Duncan Webb

Published

12.12.24

The overlooked role of sleep in children's education in India

Later sunsets reduce children's sleep, harming their learning and long-term education outcomes in India.

Education

Maulik Jagnani

Published

11.12.24

Place-based policy in India: How Special Economic Zones promoted structural change and women's employment

Little is known about the contribution of place-based policies in promoting economic development in emerging and developing countries. Through what channels do these policies, such as Special Economic Zones in India, promote development, if at all? D...

Macroeconomics & Growth

Johannes Gallé Daniel Overbeck Nadine Riedel Tobias Seidel

Published

10.12.24

How expanding internet broadband coverage lifted millions out of poverty

Mobile broadband coverage led to large and significant gains in household consumption and reductions in poverty in Nigeria.

Energy & Environment

Taka Masaki Carlos Rodríguez-Castelán Hernan Winkler Tobias Pfutze Kalvin Bahia Pau Castells Genaro Cruz Xavier Pedrós

Published

09.12.24

Do entrepreneurial skills unlock opportunities for online freelancing?

New evidence from El Salvador shows that a short online training programme focused on improving engagement with freelancing platforms can help individuals get onto the platforms and land their first contracts. However, this training alone is unlikely...

Labour Markets

Maria Victoria Fazio Richard Freund Rafael Novella

Published

06.12.24

Harnessing the benefits of digital agriculture for smallholder farmers in East Africa

An evaluation of six different text-message-based agricultural extension programmes, that collectively reached over 128,000 farmers in Kenya and Rwanda, shows that while the impacts of text messages are modest, they can be an extremely cost-effective...

Agriculture

Raissa Fabregas Michael Kremer

Published

06.12.24

The role of family planning in nurturing child health in India

Economic theory predicts that smaller families can lead to healthier children. Evidence from India shows contraception plays a vital role in reducing child malnutrition, potentially by enabling parents to invest more resources in each child.

Health

Mehreen Mookerjee Manini Ojha Sanket Roy

Published

05.12.24