Summary: Developed countries? economic performance since the global financial crisis has been disappointing, with subdued growth, weak labour markets, low levels of investment and poor productivity growth. This combination of poor performance and constrained policy options has ignited a debate over the fundamental causes of what some call is a ?secular stagnation? in developed economies. Averting a secular stagnation scenario, with negative long term impacts over the possibility of achieving the Sustainable Development Goals, will require policies that address the short-and long-term factors behind the underlying savings-investment imbalance.
The Development Policy and Analysis Division at…
Development Issues No. 9: Low growth with limited policy options? Secular Stagnation ? Causes, Consequences and Cures
Summary: As indicated in the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, sustained economic growth will continue to be an important objective in developing countries, especially in those where extreme poverty is widespread and income per capita remains low. This has been, however, a major challenge for many developing countries, with the exception of the first years of the 21st century, up to the financial crisis in 2008. Since then, the global economy has remained on a markedly lower trajectory and the situation has progressively deteriorated for developing countries. More than ever, developing countries need to design a policy framework to strengthen domestic fundamentals for growth and to…
Development Issues No. 8: Global context for achieving the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development: Sustained global economic growth
Summary: The global economy remains trapped in prolonged episode of slow growth, of which weak international trade is both a cause and a symptom. While developing countries have become more integrated and benefitted from international trade in recent years, this has also made them more vulnerable to a slowdown in global trade. Ensuring an enabling global environment for trade is thus critical for progress towards the Sustainable Development Goals, in particular given the risks associated with protectionism and inward-looking policies, which is on the rise in many countries.
The Development Policy and Analysis Division at DESA, has prepared a series of policy notes to review current trends…
Development Issues No. 7: Global context for achieving the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development: International trade
On the 13th and 14th of October 2016, the Development Strategy and Policy Analysis (DSP) Unit will hold the First Expert Group Meeting to support the preparation of the 70 year anniversary issue of the World Economic and Social Survey 2017 (WESS 2017) on ?The contribution of the World Economic and Social Survey to development, theory and practice?. The meeting will bring together the lead authors of the chapters in WESS 2017, members of the UN DESA Team, experts in the selected subject matter and colleagues from UN member organizations. The objective of the meeting is to review the draft chapters for WESS 2017 with the expectation of receiving comments and suggestions for the preparation of…
Expert Group Meeting: The contribution of the World Economic and Social Survey (WESS) to development, theory and practice
The World Economic and Social Survey 2016 contributes to the debate on the implementation challenges of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.
In addressing the specific challenge of building resilience to climate change, the Survey focuses attention on the population groups and communities that are disproportionately affected by climate hazards. It argues that, in the absence of transformative policies which coherently address the economic, social and environmental dimensions of development, building climate resilience will remain elusive and poverty and inequalities will worsen.
To the extent that the differential impact of climate hazards on people and communities is determined…
World Economic and Social Survey 2016: Climate Change Resilience: An Opportunity for Reducing Inequalities
The World Economic and Social Survey 2016 contributes to the debate on the implementation challenges of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.
In addressing the specific challenge of building resilience to climate change, the Survey focuses attention on the population groups and communities that are disproportionately affected by climate hazards. It argues that, in the absence of transformative policies which coherently address the economic, social and environmental dimensions of development, building climate resilience will remain elusive and poverty and inequalities will worsen.
To the extent that the differential impact of climate hazards on people and communities is determined…
World Economic and Social Survey 2016 Overview: Climate Change Resilience: An opportunity for reducing inequalities
The launching of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) at the dawn of the present century ushered in one of the most important initiatives undertaken by the United Nations. Concerted efforts at the international, national and subnational levels to achieve the MDGs have brought about significant development progress over the past 15 years. Nevertheless, important development gaps remain.
The year 2015 was one of global action on the unfinished business of the MDGs and the many other challenges facing humankind. Once again, the United Nations has taken the leading role in promoting development for all, and through an inclusive consultation process has formulated the 2030 Agenda for…
World Economic and Social Survey 2014/2015: Learning from National Policies Supporting MDG Implementation
Income convergence between developed and developing countries in recent years is mainly the result of rapid economic growth in Asia. The distance between average per capita income in other developing regions and that in developed countries has not changed significantly; between-country inequality continues to be a cause of concern.
Development Issues No. 5: Income convergence or persistent inequalities among countries?
The understanding of inequality has evolved from the traditional outcome-oriented view, whereby income is used as a proxy for well-being. The opportunity-oriented perspective acknowledges that circumstances of birth are essential to life outcomes and that equality of opportunity requires a fair starting point for all.
Development Issues No. 1: Concepts of Inequality
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