Global Digitalization in 10 Charts

March 4, 2024---Digital technologies are transforming communications, business, health, education, finance, and more.
Yet there remains a multi-dimensional digital divide across countries, businesses, and individuals, which is compounding the development divide. Hospitals, schools, governments, and businesses cannot operate effectively and efficiently without digital tools.

The digital divide is holding back growth and limiting opportunities for the billions who are still unconnected, and for those who are connected by not harnessing the full potential of these technologies.

The new World Bank Group "Digital Progress and Trends Report 2023" tracks global progress of digitalization and countries' production and use of digital technologies, from digital jobs, digital services exports, and app development to internet use, affordability, quality, and more. The report highlights two clear trends that are shaping our digital future: The importance of digital public infrastructure and the transformative potential of artificial intelligence (AI).

Infographic-G20 Inflation Tracker: July

September 4, 2025--Key Highlights:
Argentina and Turkey remain outliers, with inflation at 36.6% and 33.5%-the highest in the G20 despite some cooling.
The United States held steady at 2.7%, lower than expected even amid tariff pressures.
The United Kingdom saw inflation climb to 3.8%, running hotter than market forecasts.

How Stablecoins and Other Financial Innovations May Reshape the Global Economy

September 4, 2025--Policymakers will need to achieve a difficult balance between benefits and risks while safeguarding both individual consumers and financial stability
Three years ago, Finance & Development devoted a full issue to anticipating "The Money Revolution," driven by innovations in finance, such as crypto assets. That revolution is now unfolding.

Finance Changed, Risks Didn't

September 4, 2025--New technologies are rewiring liquidity, payments, and economic stability
More than 15 years after the global financial crisis,the banking and financial system looks safer. But it's also evolving in ways that are reshaping who provides liquidity,how money moves,and risks to economic and financial stability. As a result,the next shock may begin not in a bank,but in the new infrastructure underpinning the system.