World Bank Blogs

2 weeks ago | blogs.worldbank.org | Melinda Good

Thailand’s coastal and marine resources are vital engines of growth. From pristine beaches that attract millions of tourists each year to the Eastern Economic Corridor that supports production and trade, the country’s “blue economy” involving 23 coastal provinces is estimated to contribute around 30 percent of Thailand’s GDP and one-fourth of the nation’s employment. As Thailand prepares to host the World Bank Group – IMF Annual Meetings in October 2026, this is an incredible opportunity for Thailand to highlight its rich oceanic resources, and its leadership in blue economy innovation and sustainable blue value creation.

3 weeks ago | blogs.worldbank.org | Paolo Agnolucci |Nikita Makarenko

This blog post is part of a special series based on the April 2025 Commodity Markets Outlook, a flagship report published by the World Bank. This series features concise summaries of commodity-specific sections extracted from the report. Explore the full report here. Coal prices fell 21 percent in 2025Q1 (q/q), reflecting weak import demand from Asia and steady increases in seaborne supply.

1 month ago | blogs.worldbank.org | Jeremy Veillard |Daniela Romero

Mental health represents a significant public health challenge and a critical economic and social issue for countries in Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC), particularly following the COVID-19 pandemic. Mental health and substance use disorders, along with suicide, have become leading causes of mortality, morbidity, and disability in the region. This burden disproportionately affects young people, with more than 10 adolescents losing their lives to suicide every day.

1 month ago | blogs.worldbank.org | Jeremy Veillard |Daniela Romero

La salud mental representa un importante desafío de salud pública y un problema económico y social crítico para los países de América Latina y el Caribe (ALC), particularmente luego de la pandemia de COVID-19. La salud mental y los trastornos por consumo de sustancias, junto con el suicidio, se han convertido en las principales causas de mortalidad, morbilidad y discapacidad en la región.

1 month ago | blogs.worldbank.org | Miriam Bruhn |Shawn Tan |trang tran

Governments and firms around the world are grappling with the ongoing digital transformation known as Industry 4.0, which entails firms adopting automation and interconnectivity in their manufacturing and operational processes. While these technologies may offer productivity gains and competitiveness, sustaining their use can be challenging for firms when the benefits are less immediate and tangible or slow to materialize.