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Topic
Development
How countries develop to lift people out of poverty
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Programmes and projects Latest news Voices blog Publications Research updates People
Focus on development
Find out more about our work on development

The steady reduction in global poverty since 1998 has been a success story. However, hundreds of millions still live in extreme poverty, and the COVID-19 pandemic turned a 22-year tide of progress. With a strong focus on development economics, Blavatnik School researchers have long been at the forefront at fighting poverty and looking at how countries develop and flourish – not only economically, but in living standards, freedoms, health, education, environmental protection and quality of life.

PROGRAMMES AND PROJECTS

    • Pupils in a classroom
      Programme

      Digital Pathways at Oxford

    • Blavatnik building line graphic
      Programme

      Pathways for Prosperity

    • Russian tanks in South Ossetia (source: Yana Amelina, Wikimedia)
      Project

      Establishing State Legitimacy and Effectiveness in Fragile and Conflict-Affected Societies

    • Blavatnik building line graphic
      Project

      Empowering the Poor: The Behavioural and Social Foundations of Poverty Reduction, and Evolving the Role of Multilateral Responses

    • Blavatnik building line graphic
      Project

      Cash Plus

    • Flags of Germany, EU and France in newspaper
      Project

      Developing countries navigating global banking standards

    • Research on Improving Systems of Education Programme
      Programme

      Research on Improving Systems of Education Programme (RISE)

    • Women at a market in Gambia
      Programme

      Centre for the Study of African Economies

    • International Growth Centre
      Programme

      International Growth Centre

    • Women working in Tanzania
      Programme

      Global Economic Governance Programme

    • Girl in bright top in classroom in Africa
      Programme

      What Works Hub for Global Education

    LATEST NEWS

    SEE ALL LATEST NEWS
    Hands with devices overlaid with abstract technology image
    News
    11 October 2024

    New programme will look at digital public infrastructure in low- and middle-income countries

    As various aspects of life go online, digital public infrastructure, such as data exchange mechanisms and payment platforms, is essential for people to access services. A new programme will investigate its effects on inclusion and wellbeing. 

    Digital, Cyber and AI
    Development
    ...
    Inclusion
    Centre for the Study of African Economies
    Ethiopia
    Professor Paul Collier addresses a class
    News
    30 May 2024

    “From poverty to prosperity” - course by Sir Paul Collier relaunched

    Enrolments are now open again for our popular online course “From Poverty to Prosperity: Understanding Economic Development” led by Professor Paul Collier.

    Development
    Kate Orkin receiving award
    News
    15 November 2023

    Award for Kate Orkin’s role in keeping millions out of poverty

    Faculty member Kate Orkin has won the ESRC award for Outstanding Public Policy Impact, for her role advising the South African government during COVID-19 and beyond. She influenced £4.87 billion in spending that helped 28.5 million people and saved 5.5 million from extreme poverty.

    Economy
    Development
    ...
    COVID-19
    Human behaviour
    Africa
    South Africa

    VOICES BLOG

    SEE ALL VOICES
    Opinion and insight from around the school
    Girls raising their hand in class
    Blog
    04 April 2025

    Bridging the gender gap can drive development in the Global South

    Margarita Gómez, Master of Public Policy alumna and current Visiting Fellow with the Lemann Foundation Programme is the Executive Director of Southern Voice, a network of think tanks from the Global South aiming to strengthen the economic and leadership opportunities of women and girls. Along with her colleague Valeria Colunga, Executive Strategy Officer at Southern Voice, they explore the gender equality gap in 2025, from the care economy to the digital divide.

    Margarita Gómez
    Margarita Gómez
    Economy
    Development
    An armoured vehicle in the Afghan desert
    Blog
    17 October 2023

    Service provision in fragile and conflict-affected states: The role of outcomes-based contracts

    The efficacy of overseas development spending in fragile states has been questioned. Could outcomes-based commissioning, where payment is contingent on measurable improvements for public service users, help?

    Harry Bregazzi
    Harry Bregazzi
    Global security
    Public sector
    ...
    Development
    A man walks into his store completely shattered by the blast. On the wall to his left, hangs a flag of Lebanon and on the wall to his right, is a painted image of a hanged politician. Credit: Marwan Tahtah.
    Blog
    04 August 2021

    A year after the Beirut blast: Is Lebanon falling into the abyss?

    A stopped clock became a metaphor for Lebanon's political paralysis.

    Melanie Anne Cremona
    Melanie Anne Cremona
    Democracy and politics
    Global security
    ...
    Development

    PUBLICATIONS

      • Publication
        25 April 2023

        Towards a Green Trade and Investment Strategy for Africa

        This policy memo outlines proposals for an African green trade and investment strategy. It draws on extensive mapping of the institutional, policy and diplomatic landscape, and also considers emerging and long-term trends.

        Kennedy Mbeva
        Trade
        Climate and environment
        ...
        Economy
        Development
        Africa
      • Publication
        01 April 2022

        Revisiting digital inclusion: A survey of theory, measurement and recent research (Working Paper)

        Focusing on the internet as a foundational technology, this paper begins by summarising recent developments in digital inclusion theory, particularly as this relates to developing countries. It sets out a framework of core components of digital inclusion - including access/use, quality of access/use, affordability, and digital skills - and briefly considers policy implications

        Matthew Sharp
        Digital, Cyber and AI
        Development
        ...
        Digital Pathways at Oxford
      • Publication
        02 March 2022

        Informal settlements in Lusaka

        Shahrukh WaniDennis Chiwele Patrick Lamson-Hall
        Public sector
        Development
        ...
        Cities that Work
        International Growth Centre
        Economic growth and equality
        Zambia
      • Publication
        21 January 2022

        Zambia’s Constituency Development Fund: Policy considerations

        Camilla SacchettoShahrukh WaniKatherine Casey Andres Felipe Rodriguez
        Development
        Cities that Work
        ...
        International Growth Centre
        Economic growth and equality
        Zambia
      • Publication
        22 September 2021

        Informal transport reform in Kampala

        Shahrukh Wani
        Public sector
        Development
        ...
        International Growth Centre
        Uganda
      • Publication
        01 May 2021

        Virtual migration through online freelancing: evidence from Bangladesh

        Mehrab BakhtiarAbu ShonchoyMuhammad MekiSimon Quinn
        Economy
        Inclusion
        ...
        Development
        Public sector
        Digital Pathways at Oxford
        Bangladesh
      • Publication
        20 April 2021

        The role of low learning in driving dropout: a longitudinal mixed method study in four countries

        Michelle KaffenbergerDanielle SobolDeborah Spindelman
        Education
        Inclusion
        ...
        Development
        Research on Improving Systems of Education Programme (RISE)
        Ethiopia
        India
        Peru
        Vietnam
      • Publication
        30 March 2021

        Negotiating equity: examining priorities, ownership, and politics shaping Ethiopia’s large-scale education reforms for equitable learning

        Amare AsgedomShelby CarvalhoPauline Rose
        Education
        Development
        ...
        Research on Improving Systems of Education Programme (RISE)
        Ethiopia
      • Publication
        09 March 2021

        Accountability relationships in 3Rs curriculum reform implementation: implication for pupils’ acquisition of literacy and numeracy skills in Tanzania’s primary schools

        Aneth KombaRichard Shukia
        Education
        Development
        ...
        Research on Improving Systems of Education Programme (RISE)
        Tanzania
      • Publication
        24 February 2021

        Scaling energy investments in fragile states

        Camilla SacchettoSarah Logan
        COVID-19
        Development
        ...
        Global security
        International Growth Centre
      • Publication
        28 January 2021

        Lessons from implementing the Digital Economy Kit: Moving from diagnosis to action

        Elizabeth StuartPranjali GuptaTebello QhotsokoaneToby Phillips
        Economy
        Development
        ...
        Public sector
        Digital, Cyber and AI
        Digital Pathways at Oxford
        Bangladesh
        Benin
        Ethiopia
        Malawi
        Mongolia
        South Africa
      • Publication
        28 January 2021

        The labour market impacts of female internal migration: Evidence from the end of Apartheid

        Matthew Sharp
        Economy
        Development
        ...
        Inclusion
        Centre for the Study of African Economies
        South Africa
      • Publication
        01 December 2020

        COVID-19 and disruption of the digital economy: evidence from low and middle-income countries

        Karishma BangaDirk Willem te Velde
        COVID-19
        Economy
        ...
        Development
        Digital, Cyber and AI
        Digital Pathways at Oxford
      • Publication
        06 October 2020

        Designed to succeed: building authorising environments for fast-growing cities

        Paul CollierShahrukh WaniEdward GlaeserTony VenablesAstrid Haas
        Economy
        Development
        ...
        Public sector
        International Growth Centre
      • Publication
        05 October 2020

        Urban land use planning for economic growth

        Paul CollierEdward GlaeserTony VenablesPriya Manwaring
        Economy
        Development
        ...
        Public sector
        Cities that Work
        International Growth Centre
      • Publication
        24 August 2020

        Critical issues for strengthening supreme audit institutions in developing countries

        Innocent Twebaze Mbaguta
        Public sector
        Development
        ...
        Building Integrity
      • Publication
        02 March 2020

        Scarcity and cognitive function around payday: a conceptual and empirical analysis

        Anandi ManiSendhil MullainathanElar ShafirJiaying Zhao
        Human behaviour
        Economy
        ...
        Development
        Centre for the Study of African Economies
      • Publication
        10 February 2020

        Cognitive droughts

        Anandi ManiGuilherme Lichand
        Human behaviour
        Economy
        ...
        Development
        Centre for the Study of African Economies
        Brazil
      • Publication
        01 December 2019

        The BRT and the danfo: A case study of Lagos’ transport reforms from 1999-2019

        Oliver HarmanSebastian KriticosBiodun Otunola
        Economy
        Public sector
        ...
        Development
        International Growth Centre
        Africa
        Nigeria
      • Publication
        15 November 2019

        Urban mobility: policy decisions for connecting the city

        Paul CollierEdward GlaeserTony VenablesPriya ManwaringMichael Blake
        Development
        Public sector
        ...
        Cities that Work
        International Growth Centre
      • Publication
        01 November 2019

        The prospects for manufacturing-led growth in Africa’s cities

        Sebastian KriticosVernon Henderson
        Economy
        Development
        ...
        Public sector
        Cities that Work
        International Growth Centre
        Africa
      • Publication
        01 November 2019

        The prospects for manufacturing-led growth in Africa’s cities

        Sebastian KriticosVernon Henderson
        Economy
        Development
        ...
        Public sector
        International Growth Centre
        Africa
      • Publication
        28 October 2019

        Can Africa learn from the Chinese urbanisation story?

        Sebastian KriticosStefan DerconAstrid HaasNicolas Lippolis
        Development
        Public sector
        ...
        Cities that Work
        International Growth Centre
        Africa
        China
      • Publication
        28 October 2019

        Considerations for land value capture reform in the Greater Amman Municipality

        Sebastian KriticosAstrid Haas
        Economy
        Development
        ...
        Public sector
        Cities that Work
        International Growth Centre
        Jordan
      • Publication
        15 October 2019

        Sex workers, stigma and self-image: evidence from Kolkata brothels

        Anandi ManiSayantan GhosalSmarajit JanaSandip MitraSanchari Roy
        Human behaviour
        Economy
        ...
        Inclusion
        Development
        Centre for the Study of African Economies
        India
      • Publication
        01 October 2019

        Can Africa learn from the Chinese urbanisation story?

        Sebastian KriticosStefan DerconAstrid HaasNicolas Lippolis
        Public sector
        Development
        ...
        International Growth Centre
        Africa
        China
      • Publication
        16 August 2019

        Impôts sur le foncier: pour valoriser des revenus municipaux inexploités

        Paul CollierEdward GlaeserTony VenablesPriya ManwaringMichael Blake
        Economy
        Development
        ...
        Cities that Work
        International Growth Centre
      • Publication
        01 July 2019

        Inequality and real income growth for middle and low-income households across rich countries in recent decades

        Brian NolanStefan Thewisseng
        Development
        Economy
        ...
        Inclusion
        Social Macroeconomics
      • Publication
        30 May 2019

        Urban governance institutions: Policy options for fast growing cities

        Shahrukh WaniAstrid Haas
        Public sector
        Development
        ...
        International Growth Centre
        Africa
      • Publication
        30 April 2019

        Urban governance institutions: policy options for fast-growing cities

        Shahrukh WaniAstrid Haas
        Public sector
        Development
        ...
        Cities that Work
        International Growth Centre
      • Publication
        26 April 2019

        Pioneering firms in fragile and conflict-affected states

        Paul CollierNeil GregoryAlexandros Ragoussis
        Economy
        Development
      • Publication
        05 April 2019

        The demand for insurance under limited trust: evidence from a field experiment in Kenya

        Stefan DerconJan Willem GunningAndrew Zeitlin
        Human behaviour
        Economy
        ...
        Development
        Centre for the Study of African Economies
        Kenya
      • Publication
        29 March 2019

        Enhancing property tax compliance in Mandalay

        Sebastian KriticosMichael Blake
        Human behaviour
        Economy
        ...
        Public sector
        Development
        Cities that Work
        International Growth Centre
        Myanmar
      • Publication
        13 March 2019

        A quick, cost-effective approach to land tenure regularisation: the case of Rwanda

        Thierry Hoza Ngoga
        Economy
        Development
        ...
        Public sector
        Cities that Work
        International Growth Centre
        Rwanda
      • Publication
        12 March 2019

        Policy options for informal settlements

        Paul CollierEdward GlaeserTony VenablesMichael BlakePriya Manwaring
        Development
        Public sector
        ...
        Cities that Work
        International Growth Centre
      • Publication
        01 February 2019

        Key considerations for integrated multi-modal transport planning

        Astrid Haas
        Climate and environment
        Public sector
        ...
        Development
        Cities that Work
        International Growth Centre
        Innovations in public management and integrity of government
      • Publication
        18 January 2019

        Informal settlements and housing markets

        Paul CollierEdward GlaeserTony VenablesMichael BlakePriya Manwaring
        Development
        Inclusion
        ...
        Cities that Work
        International Growth Centre
        Economic growth and equality
      • Publication
        18 January 2019

        Informal settlements and housing markets

        Paul CollierEdward GlaeserTony VenablesMichael Blake Priya Manwaring
        Public sector
        Development
        ...
        Cities that Work
        International Growth Centre
        Health, education and public services
      • Publication
        04 October 2018

        Charting pathways for inclusive growth: from paralysis to preparation

        Stefan DerconToby PhillipsBenno Ndulu
        Economy
        Development
        ...
        Digital, Cyber and AI
        Digital Pathways at Oxford
        Pathways for Prosperity
      • Publication
        04 October 2018

        Digital lives: creating meaningful connections for the next 3 billion

        Stefan DerconToby PhillipsBenno Ndulu
        Economy
        Development
        ...
        Digital, Cyber and AI
        Digital Pathways at Oxford
        Pathways for Prosperity
        Economic growth and equality
      • Publication
        05 July 2018

        Land rights: Unlocking land for urban development

        Paul CollierEdward GlaeserTony VenablesMichael BlakePriya Manwaring
        Economy
        Development
        ...
        Public sector
        Cities that Work
        International Growth Centre
        Economic growth and equality
      • Publication
        01 July 2018

        Upping the ante: The equilibrium effects of unconditional grants to private schools

        Tahir AndrabiJishnu DasAsim I. KhwajaSelcuk OzyurtNiharika Singh
        Economy
        Development
        ...
        Education
        Research on Improving Systems of Education Programme (RISE)
        Health, education and public services
      • Publication
        01 March 2018

        IGC Growth brief: Making the most of urban land

        Paul CollierMichael BlakePriya Manwaring
        Public sector
        Development
        ...
        Cities that Work
        International Growth Centre
        Economic growth and equality
      • Publication
        01 January 2018

        Accessing opportunities: Policy decisions for enhancing urban mobility

        Paul CollierEdward GlaeserTony VenablesPriya ManwaringMichael Blake
        Public sector
        Development
        ...
        Cities that Work
        International Growth Centre
        Health, education and public services
      • Publication
        01 January 2018

        Policy options for Kabul’s informal settlements

        Paul CollierPriya ManwaringMichael Blake
        Economy
        Global security
        ...
        Public sector
        Development
        International Growth Centre
        Health, education and public services
        Afghanistan
      • Publication
        01 January 2018

        Housing finance: Demand and supply-side subsidies

        Economy
        Inclusion
        ...
        Development
        Public sector
        Cities that Work
        International Growth Centre
        Health, education and public services
        South Africa
      • Publication
        01 December 2017

        Property taxes: Exploring the untapped potential for the city of Hargeisa

        Astrid Haas
        Economy
        Public sector
        ...
        Development
        Cities that Work
        International Growth Centre
        Innovations in public management and integrity of government
        Africa
      • Publication
        01 December 2017

        An overview of municipal finance in Hargeisa, Somaliland

        Astrid Haas
        Public sector
        Development
        ...
        Cities that Work
        International Growth Centre
        Innovations in public management and integrity of government
        Africa
      • Publication
        01 November 2017

        Private vs. public collection in enhancing local tax revenues

        Astrid R.N. HaasPriya Manwaring
        Development
        Economy
        ...
        Public sector
        Cities that Work
        International Growth Centre
        Economic growth and equality
      • Publication
        01 October 2017

        Efficient and effective municipal tax administration: A case study of the Kampala Capital City Authority

        Astrid HaasFred Andema
        Public sector
        Development
        ...
        Cities that Work
        International Growth Centre
        Innovations in public management and integrity of government
        Africa
        Uganda
      • Publication
        26 September 2017

        Cash-Plus: Variants and Components of Transfer-Based Anti-Poverty Programming

        Richard SedlmayrAnuj ShahMunshi Sulaiman
        Business and capitalism
        Economy
        ...
        Development
        Cash Plus
        Centre for the Study of African Economies
        Economic growth and equality
        Africa
        Uganda
      • Publication
        31 August 2017

        Land and property taxes: Exploiting untapped municipal revenues

        Paul Collier Edward GlaeserTony VenablesPriya Manwaring Michael Blake
        Economy
        Inclusion
        ...
        Public sector
        Development
        Cities that Work
        International Growth Centre
        Economic growth and equality
      • Publication
        01 July 2017

        Secure, legally enforceable and marketable land rights for urban development

        Paul CollierEdward GlaeserTony VenablesMichael BlakePriya Manwaring
        Public sector
        Development
        ...
        Cities that Work
        International Growth Centre
        Economic growth and equality
      • Publication
        01 July 2017

        Choice for the poor or poor choice? India’s school choice policy

        Vijay Kumar Damera
        Education
        Development
        ...
        Health, education and public services
        India
      • Publication
        01 January 2017

        Risk Sharing and the Demand for Insurance: Theory and Experimental Evidence from Ethiopia

        Karlijn MorsinkErlend BergMichael Blake
        Economy
        Development
        ...
        Centre for the Study of African Economies
        Economic growth and equality
        Africa
        Ethiopia
      • Publication
        01 August 2016

        The ethical foundations of aid

        Paul Collier
        Integrity
        Development
        ...
        Human behaviour
        Economic growth and equality
        China
      • Publication
        01 July 2016

        The need for a bigger World Bank Group

        Mark Lowcock
        Economy
        Development
        ...
        Global cooperation
        Economic growth and equality
      • Publication
        01 April 2016

        Assessing the effectiveness of multilateral organisations

        Vinicius LindosoNina Hall
        Global cooperation
        Development
        ...
        Global Economic Governance Programme
        Economic growth and equality
        Innovations in public management and integrity of government
      • Publication
        03 February 2016

        Service delivery versus moonlighting

        Mthuli NcubeKiell Hausken
        Business and capitalism
        Economy
        ...
        Development
        Public sector
        Economic growth and equality
        Health, education and public services
        Africa
        Kenya
        Senegal
        Tanzania
        Uganda
      • Publication
        01 December 2014

        Securing the future of multilateral development finance

        Richard Manning
        Economy
        Development
        ...
        Global cooperation
        Global Economic Governance Programme
        Economic growth and equality
        Europe

      RESEARCH UPDATES

      SEE ALL RESEARCH UPDATES
      Close-up shot of hands typing on laptop
      Research update

      Journal article on measuring digital inclusion

      Focusing on the internet as a foundational technology, this paper sets out a framework of core components of digital inclusion — including quality of access and use, affordability, and digital skills and surveys the ways these components are currently measured.

      Development
      Digital, Cyber and AI
      ...
      Digital Pathways at Oxford
      Stefan Dercon
      Research update

      Stefan Dercon publishes new book on development

      Stefan Dercon, Professor of Economic Policy at the Blavatnik School, has published a new book entitled 'Gambling on Development: Why Some Countries Win and Others Lose'.

      Economy
      Development
      ...
      Economic growth and equality
      Research update

      Shahrukh Wani participates in Global Future Cities panel discussion on governance and collaboration

      Shahrukh Wani participated in a panel discussion examining how good governance and collaboration can be achieved to deliver sustainable urbanisation.

      Integrity
      Development
      ...
      Public sector
      Paul Collier
      Research update

      Paul Collier discusses Africa's post-COVID path to prosperity at the UCL Economics Conference

      Paul Collier highlighted how collective memory made Africa resilient to the pandemic, while stressing the importance of economic interdependence on Africa's path to productivity and prosperity.

      COVID-19
      Economy
      ...
      Development
      Africa

      PEOPLE

      See all people
      Noam Angrist
      Academic Director (What Works Hub for Global Education) and Senior Research Fellow
      Paul Collier
      Professor of Economics and Public Policy
      Stefan Dercon
      Professor of Economic Policy
      Emily Jones
      Professor of Practice in Public Policy
      Clare Leaver
      Academic Co-director
      Kate Orkin
      Associate Professor in Economics and Public Policy
      Martin Williams
      Associate Professor in Public Management
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