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Office of the Chief Economist, Europe and Central Asia

FEATURED
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ECA ECONOMIC UPDATE
WEAK GROWTH, HIGH INFLATION, AND A COST-OF-LIVING CRISIS
April 6, 2023 — 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, investment, and trade. Read More »
Ufuk Akcigit, Harry A. Patrinos, and Ivailo Izvorski at the January 2023 ECA Talk
ECA TALK
ECA Talk on Education and Innovation
January 18, 2023 — How do innovation and education policy affect individual career choice and aggregate productivity? Read More »
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EVENT REPLAY
"Returns to Education" Turns 50
March 29, 2023 — 2023 marks the 50th anniversary of the publication of the book, Returns to Education: An International Comparison by George Psacharopoulos. Read More »

The Office of the Chief Economist provides guidance on strategic priorities and the technical quality of economic analysis in the Europe and Central Asia region. This mission is accomplished through an analytical program that challenges conventional wisdom, takes on new, topical and controversial issues, and provides cross-sectoral and region-wide analysis, and serving as principal regional spokesperson inside and outside the Bank on strategic and economic issues facing the region.

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    REGIONAL UPDATES

    The Office of the Chief Economist publishes a Regional Economic Update every year in both spring and autumn. Each update includes an outlook for economic growth and analysis of a special topic important to the region.
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    FEATURED RESEARCH

    The Office of the ECA Chief Economist regularly monitors research that is either directly related to the region's socio-economic challenges or that addresses broader issues.
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    REGIONAL FLAGSHIP REPORTS

    Regional flagship reports analyze trends and key issues in the region and are targeted to a broad audience.
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    WORKING PAPERS

    Working papers share researchers’ findings from work in progress to encourage the exchange of ideas about development issues.
ECA CHIEF ECONOMIST EVENTS
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    ECA TALKS

    ECA talks showcase policy and research papers relevant for the region. These events facilitate a dialogue between researchers and practitioners on issues of policy interest.
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    ECA ACADEMY

    The ECA Academy is organized annually by the Office of the ECA Chief Economist. The ECA Academy competition identifies the best new policy-relevant research from across the World Bank Group on topics of interest to the ECA region. The papers are evaluated based on technical quality, originality, and operational relevance.
Chief Economist, Europe and Central Asia
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Ivailo Izvorski
Ivailo Izvorski is the Chief Economist for the Europe and Central Asia region.
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