People | Human Development

Investing in the world’s most precious resource – people – is paramount to ending poverty on a livable planet.

The People vertical at the World Bank Group supports countries with their human deveopment -- to protect and invest in their people, enabling them to reach their full potential and enjoy a good quality of life.

Better lives and better futures are only possible when all people have equal access to quality health care, education, and social protection, and when all people have the opportunity to build and draw on their human capital throughout life to learn, work, create businesses, have dignity and quality of life, even amid challenges.

When countries strategically invest in people and the systems designed to protect and build human capital at scale, they unlock the wealth of nations and the potential of everyone. Entire societies are more resilient against economic downturns, climate change, and conflicts. When girls and women are given equal opportunities to develop their full potential, everyone benefits. And when people migrate, whether by choice or not, their human capital can make the critical difference between surviving and thriving.

We draw on the immense knowledge base of our staff, clients, development partners, and civil society to tailor development solutions that meet the unique circumstances and goals of a country. 

Operational and knowledge highlights:

• Health: We aim to provide quality, affordable health services to 1.5 billion people in the next five years through a combination of financing, knowledge and partnerships.
  Our $34 billion global health portfolio includes over 240 projects that help countries take a comprehensive approach to improving health outcomes, especially for poor and vulnerable people, by strengthening primary care and key public health functions. Recent analyses and knowledge products cover topics including: health systems financing, digital-in-health, healthcare workers, health taxes and childhood malnutrition.
  
• Education: We aim to cut learning poverty in half by 2030.
  Our $26 billion global education portfolio supports resilient, equitable, and inclusive education systems that ensure learning happens for everyone. Recent key analyses and knowledge products cover topics including: education financing, teacher effectiveness, foundational learning, COVID-19 learning losses, AI and education technology, inclusive education and vocational education.
  
• Social Protection and Jobs: We aim to reach half a billion people over the next six years with social assistance programs.
  Our $26 billion social protection portfolio helps people cope and adapt to shocks, find jobs, improve productivity, support health and education of children, and protect aging population and persons with disabilities. Recent key analyses and knowledge products cover topics including: women’s economic participation, migration, climate and jobs, the gig economy, youth employment and universal social protection.
  
• Gender: 
  We have stepped up our operations to support gender equality and invest in evidence on what works. More than 95% of our operations include interventions aimed at closing gender gaps. A new Gender Strategy for 2024-2030 will focus on empowering women, building human capital and accelerating women’s economic participation. Recent key analyses and knowledge products cover topics including: women’s economic inclusion and empowerment, women’s health, closing gender gaps and ending gender-based violence.
  
• Human Capital: Through our global network of nearly 100 countries consisting of Ministers of Finance, Planning, and Budgets, our Human Capital Project connects policymakers and provides a platform that facilitates cross-learning and fosters investments and policy action on human capital. Recent analysis covers how Covid-19 eroded human capital and what to do about it.