Emerging-Market Banks’ Government Debt Holdings Pose Financial Stability Risks
Banks’ holdings of sovereign debt rise to a record as governments spend to cushion pandemic impact.
Chart of the WeekGlobal Economic Uncertainty, Surging Amid War, May Slow Growth
As the war in Ukraine unfolds, global uncertainty has surged, according to the latest reading of the World Uncertainty Index—a quarterly measure across 143 countries. This increase is a bad sign for growth.
The Right Labor Market Policies Can Ease the Green Jobs Transition
Measures include job training, tax credits for lower-income workers, green infrastructure and R&D investment push, and a carbon tax.
Fast-Moving FinTech Poses Challenge for Regulators
Emerging firms are quickly making inroads into critical financial services, and often taking on more risk than traditional banks.
Tax Coordination Can Lead to a Fairer, Greener Global Economy
Cooperation across countries can raise revenue, tackle inequality, and fight climate change.
Global Trade Needs More Supply Diversity, Not Less
Countries with trade partners that implemented more stringent lockdowns had a sharper drop in imports. Though trade flows have adjusted, more diversified global value chains could help lessen the impact of future shocks.
Dangerous Global Debt Burden Requires Decisive Cooperation
With elevated risks to sovereign debt, a global cooperative approach is necessary to reach an orderly resolution of debt problems and prevent defaults.
Restructuring Debt of Poorer Nations Requires More Efficient Coordination
An improved common framework for debt treatment could clear a path through an increasingly complex creditor landscape.
First Global Bank Stress Test Highlights Increased Financial Resilience
The world’s banking systems saw significant capital increases ahead of the pandemic and are resilient to very large shocks.
How Africa Can Navigate Growing Monetary Policy Challenges
Tools such as foreign exchange intervention can ease the effects of shocks but need to be carefully weighed against potential longer-term costs.