Population and the World Bank : Implications from Eight Case Studies Book

This study examines the Bank's activities in the population sector by reviewing its role in eight countries. It begins by asking what demographic and related socio-economic changes have occurred since about 1968 when the Bank announced it would begin lending for this sector, what government policies affecting these trends were instituted and what role was played by the Bank vis a vis other donors during this period? The conclusions reached are based on field visits, interviews and a review of documents and literature. The picture that emerges is one of considerable diversity of activities and experiences, from which it is not easy to generalize. However, the overall conclusion is that, after slow, halting and sometimes faulty starts, the Bank has become progressively more effective in this field. From this point forward, most of what is needed involves reorientations and shifts in emphasis rather than radical departures from recent practices and levels of funding.