Of Interest
you are currently viewing::International Debt Report 2025: When relief isn’t enough-LMICs face their largest external debt outflows in 50 yearsDecember 3, 2025--A paradox is unfolding across low-and middle-income countries (LMICs). Inflation is receding and the punishing interest rates of recent years are finally easing, offering some relief. International market bonds issuances are gradually returning-at more sustainable prices -providing countries with much needed financing that helps reduce the risk of default and temporarily eases fiscal strains. Yet for most LMICs, these are modest consolations - and far from sufficient to offset the profound setbacks of this decade. After all, LMICs paid out $741 billion more in principal and interest on their external debt between 2022 and 2024 than they received in new financing-the largest amount in at least 50 years. The 2025 edition of the Debt Report (IDR), the World Bank's flagship annual publication on debt, reveals that the growth of LMICs' external debt stock slowed significantly in 2024, increasing just 1.1 percent to reach US$8.9 trillion. However, there's more to this story than the headline number suggests. Source: worldbank.org |
Global Cooperation is Showing Resilience in the Face of Geopolitical Headwinds
January 9, 2026-The Global Cooperation Barometer 2026 reveals strong pressures on multilateral institutions are causing global cooperation to evolve rather than retreat.
While multilateral forms of cooperation declined, smaller and more agile coalitions of countries -and, at times, companies - were instrumental in maintaining overall cooperation levels.
A Tumultuous Year Tests Optimism Among American Retirement Savers
December 18, 2025-Surveying more than 3,000 Americans, PensionBee Happy Retirement Report finds retirement sentiment drops over 10% in 2025
Retirement optimism dropped by over 10% in 2025, according to new consumer sentiment data by PensionBee. Positive retirement sentiment peaked in March at 55% before dropping to just 44% by year's end.
International Standards Proliferate, Reshaping Global Economy: Too Many Developing Countries Are Left Behind, Report Finds
December 11, 2025--A proliferating set of international standards-covering everything from food labeling to the specifications of 5G cellular networks-s steadily reshaping the global economic order, delivering hefty benefits to the wealthy nations and large multinational companies that set them while leaving many developing countries on the sidelines, according to a new World Bank report.
Understanding Stablecoins
December 4, 2025-Stablecoins, a type of crypto asset, have seen significant growth and attention recently. This paper provides a comprehensive overview of stablecoins. It discusses market developments, use cases, potential benefits, associated risks, and the evolving international regulatory landscape. Stablecoin issuance has doubled over the past two years, driven by their use in crypto trades.
Making the Green Transition Work for People and the Economy
November 28, 2025-As the global economy shifts under mounting inflation,fractured supply chains and rising inequality,the pace of climate action faces new pressures. The World Economic Forum's Executive Opinion Survey of 11,000 businesses found that 37% consider higher energy and commodity costs as barriers to competitive green business models,while more than half worry about affordability for consumers-warning that without economic feasibility and social alignment,climate ambition may falter.
UNEP Emissions Gap Report 2025
November 4, 2025-UNEP's Emissions Gap Report 2025: Off Target finds that available new climate pledges under the Paris Agreement have only slightly lowered global temperature rise over the course of this century, leaving the world heading for a serious escalation of climate risks and damages.
