Part I. State of the World Economy

Part one of the World Economic and Social Survey 2000 chronicles a remarkable recovery in the world economy after the crisis years 1997-1999. Although the volume of international financial flows has not returned to its pre-crisis level, international financial markets are again displaying a sense of calm. International trade has also largely recovered from the setback it suffered following the financial crises.

Part II. Escaping the Poverty Trap

Part two of World Economic and Social Survey 2000 identifies a number of critical steps for the poorer countries to break out of their "poverty trap" and find a path to sustained and sustainable development - a path that has proved so elusive to so many countries for so long. Some of these, such as the need to achieve progress in agriculture, used to have a key role in development policies but have suffered relative neglect over the years. Others, such as the roles of education and technology, have always been in the agenda but the results have been mixed and many lessons have been learned. Yet other dimensions, such as the role of institutions, have come to the forefront only recently. The objective of part two is to identify some of the actions that countries can take to start a period of rapid and sustained growth that would allow living standards to increase appreciably over a relatively short period of time.

Sales No. E.00.II.C.1
ISBN 92-1-109136-5
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