World Bank warns of worsening conditions in 39 fragile states
Washington
The World Bank (WB) warned of worsening conditions in the world's most conflict-affected and fragile countries, where crises are becoming increasingly deadly and frequent.
In a comprehensive study of 39 countries classified as fragile and conflict-affected since the outbreak of COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, the Bank found that economic stagnation has become the norm in theseregions.
Since 2020, the 39 countries, stretching from Marshall Islands in the Pacific to Mozambique in sub-Saharan Africa, experienced an average annual decline of 1.8 percent in per capita economic output. In contrast, other developing economies grew at an average rate of 2.9 percent annually over the same period.
The study highlighted that more than 420 million people in these fragile economies live on less than $3 a day, well below the poverty line.
This figure represents the largest concentration of extreme poverty globally, despite the fact that these 39 countries account for less than 15 percent of the world's population.
The report also noted that many of these nations face long-standing challenges, including crumbling infrastructure, weak governance, and poor education systems.
On average, individuals in these countries receive only six years of schooling - three years less than the average in other low- and middle-income countries. Life expectancy is five years shorter, and infant mortality rates are twice as high.
Among the 39 countries, 21 are currently experiencing active conflict, including Ukraine, Sudan, Ethiopia, and Gaza Strip.
The study pointed out that in countries embroiled in high-intensity conflict, defined as those with more than 150 conflict-related deaths per million people, their economies contract by a cumulative 20 percent within five years of the conflict's onset.
As conflicts escalate, hunger rises in tandem.
According to the World Bank's estimates, around 18 percent, roughly 200 million people, of the populations in these 39 countries are facing acute food insecurity, compared to just 1 percent in other low- and middle-incomecountries.
The report also emphasized that some nations managed to escape the cycle of fragility and conflict, citing Nepal, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Rwanda, and Sri Lanka as examples.
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World Bank warns of worsening conditions in 39 fragile states
QNA Washington The World Bank (WB) warned of worsening conditions in the world's most conflict-affected and fragile countries, where crises are becoming increasingly deadly and frequent. In a comprehensive study of 39 countries classified as fragile and conflict-affected since the outbreak of COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, the Bank found that economic stagnation has become the norm in theseregions. Since 2020, the 39 countries, stretching from Marshall Islands in the Pacific to Mozambique in sub-Saharan Africa, experienced an average annual decline of 1.8 percent in per capita economic output. In contrast, other developing economies grew at an average rate of 2.9 percent annually over the same period. The study highlighted that more than 420 million people in these fragile economies live on less than $3 a day, well below the poverty line. This figure represents the largest concentration of extreme poverty globally, despite the fact that these 39 countries account for less than 15 percent of the world's population. The report also noted that many of these nations face long-standing challenges, including crumbling infrastructure, weak governance, and poor education systems. On average, individuals in these countries receive only six years of schooling - three years less than the average in other low- and middle-income countries. Life expectancy is five years shorter, and infant mortality rates are twice as high. Among the 39 countries, 21 are currently experiencing active conflict, including Ukraine, Sudan, Ethiopia, and Gaza Strip. The study pointed out that in countries embroiled in high-intensity conflict, defined as those with more than 150 conflict-related deaths per million people, their economies contract by a cumulative 20 percent within five years of the conflict's onset. As conflicts escalate, hunger rises in tandem. According to the World Bank's estimates, around 18 percent, roughly 200 million people, of the populations in these 39 countries are facing acute food insecurity, compared to just 1 percent in other low- and middle-incomecountries. The report also emphasized that some nations managed to escape the cycle of fragility and conflict, citing Nepal, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Rwanda, and Sri Lanka as examples.
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