Office of the Chief Economist, Europe and Central Asia

Jobs and Prosperity

The region is facing a serious jobs challenge. Investing in infrastructure, improving the business environment and mobilizing private capital will be critical to jumpstarting productivity, creating jobs, and building a ...

Accelerating Growth through Entrepreneurship, Technology Adoption, and ...

Growth in the developing economies of Europe and Central Asia is expected to slow significantly to 2.5% on average in 2025-26 in the face of profound global uncertainty. To boost competitiveness and create jobs in this ...

Better Education for Stronger Growth

Economic activity in Europe and Central Asia is stabilizing after a series of crises but remains well below the levels of the early 2000s. To reinvigorate growth, governments need to unlock the human capital potential in ...

Unleashing the Power of the Private Sector

Economic activity in the Europe and Central Asia (ECA) region is expected to remain resilient but slow this year as a weaker global economy, slowdown in China, and lower commodity prices weigh on the region’s growth ...

Sluggish Growth, Rising Risks

Europe and Central Asia (ECA) continues to be negatively impacted by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, tighter global financial conditions, persistent inflation, and global economic fragmentation. Nonetheless, economic ...

Weak Growth, High Inflation, and a Cost-of-Living Crisis

Economic growth slowed sharply last year in Europe and Central Asia, as Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, a surge in inflation, and the sharp tightening of monetary policy and financial conditions hit private consumption, ...

TIDES of Change

Europe and Central Asia must seize the opportunity for more productivity-driven growth. By advancing Trade, Investment, Digitalization, Efficiency, and Skills, the region can transform its growth trajectory.

Greater Heights

This report proposes policy options to assist middle-income countries in Europe and Central Asia in the effort to reach high-income status by adopting a "3i strategy" - Investment, Infusion, and Innovation.

The Journey Ahead

This report provides an in-depth analysis of international migration in Europe and Central Asia and the implications for policy making. It aims to inform a more nuanced, evidence based debate on the costs and benefits of ...