The Future of Development
Description
Global development is entering a new decade shaped by uneven recovery, persistent poverty, and mounting structural risks. According to the IMF’s 2024 outlook, global GDP growth is stabilising near 3.5%, yet emerging markets are expected to outperform advanced economies, widening development divergence. Poverty reduction has resumed, but progress remains far below pre-pandemic expectations, with the global poverty rate still projected at 7.5% in 2025 rather than the earlier trajectory toward 6%.
The geography of global poverty is increasingly concentrated. Sub-Saharan Africa accounts for more than 60% of the world’s extreme poor, with poverty rates remaining above 30%. Meanwhile, debt distress is rising across low-income economies, limiting fiscal space for health, education, and infrastructure. At the same time, inequality within countries has widened due to unequal access to digital technologies, healthcare, and labour market opportunity.
Looking forward, the future of development depends on managing interconnected transitions: climate adaptation, digital inclusion, and sustainable growth. Developing economies require nearly $300 billion annually for climate adaptation but currently receive only a fraction. Bridging the global digital divide — with 2.6 billion people still offline — will be central to inclusive prosperity. Development strategies of the 2030s must therefore combine resilience, green investment, institutional capacity, and technology-enabled inclusion.
The geography of global poverty is increasingly concentrated. Sub-Saharan Africa accounts for more than 60% of the world’s extreme poor, with poverty rates remaining above 30%. Meanwhile, debt distress is rising across low-income economies, limiting fiscal space for health, education, and infrastructure. At the same time, inequality within countries has widened due to unequal access to digital technologies, healthcare, and labour market opportunity.
Looking forward, the future of development depends on managing interconnected transitions: climate adaptation, digital inclusion, and sustainable growth. Developing economies require nearly $300 billion annually for climate adaptation but currently receive only a fraction. Bridging the global digital divide — with 2.6 billion people still offline — will be central to inclusive prosperity. Development strategies of the 2030s must therefore combine resilience, green investment, institutional capacity, and technology-enabled inclusion.
Table of Contents
24 Pages
- 1. Executive Summary
- 2. The Post-Pandemic Development Landscape
- 3. Growth Divergence: Advanced vs Emerging Economies
- 4. Poverty Reduction Stalled: SDG 1 at Risk
- 5. The New Geography of Global Poverty
- 6. Inequality and the Digital Divide
- 7. Debt Distress and Fiscal Constraints
- 8. Climate Adaptation Financing Gaps
- 9. Green Growth Opportunities in the 2030s
- 10. A New Framework for Inclusive Development
Search Inside Report
Pricing
Currency Rates
Questions or Comments?
Our team has the ability to search within reports to verify it suits your needs. We can also help maximize your budget by finding sections of reports you can purchase.