The World Bank is due to launch its new human capital index at the IMF/World Bank annual meetings in Bali on Thursday (September 11).

Elizabeth Stuart, head of the Growth, Poverty and Inequality Programme at ODI, said: ‘The World Bank’s new focus on human capital is welcome and a signal that this is now accepted as mainstream economic thinking and practice. It is absolutely right that finance directed at health and education is seen as a productive investment just as much as putting money into roads and manufactory plants.

‘But to really boost both productivity and incomes, there needs to be sharper focus on where exactly the money is invested within countries. Our research has shown that too often finance goes to places where people are already relatively better-off, and where there are already schools and health facilities. The Bank, donors and other investors must do more to reach the poorest and most vulnerable in areas that have been left behind.’

For more information or to arrange an interview with an ODI expert please contact James Rush on [email protected] or +44 (0)7808 791265

ENDS