South Asia Development Matters

South Asia is home to 9 of the world's 10 cities with the worst air pollution. Concentrations of fine particulate matter (PM2.5) in some of the region's most densely populated and poor areas are up to 20 times higher than what the World Health Organization considers healthy (5 micrograms per cubic meter). This pollution causes an estimated 2 million premature deaths in the region each year and results in significant economic costs. Controlling air pollution is difficult without a better understanding of the activities that cause emissions of particulate matter. Air pollution travels long distances in South Asia and gets trapped in large 'airsheds' that are shaped by climatology and geography. 'Striving for Clean Air' identifies six major airsheds in the region and analyzes four scenarios for reducing air pollution with varying degrees of policy implementation and cooperation among countries. The analysis shows that cooperation between different jurisdictions within an airshed is crucial, and a schematic road map with three phases is proposed. The phases in the road map may overlap when the rate of progress differs, depending on local circumstances. Phase 1 would improve monitoring and institutions; Phase 2 would introduce additional and joint targets for cost-effective abatement; and Phase 3 would mainstream air quality in the economy.

Hidden Debt examines the tradeoff between tackling development challenges through state direct presence in the market and avoiding unsustainable debt due to economic inefficiencies of such state operations.

South Asia is particularly vulnerable to climate change. Most previous studies have focused on the projected impacts of sea-level rise or extreme weather - droughts, floods, heatwaves and storm surges. This study adds to that knowledge by identifying the impacts of long-term changes in the climate – rising temperatures and changes in precipitation patterns – on living standards. It does so by first building an understanding of the relationship between current climate conditions and living standards across South Asia. The study also identifies the set of climate models that are best suited for projecting long-term changes in climate across South Asia. This novel understanding of living standards and climate change is then combined to project impacts of long-term changes in climate on living standards in South Asia. The study finds that higher temperatures will reduce living standards for most of South Asia, with the severity impacts depending on future global greenhouse gas emissions. The study projects "hotspots", which are locations where long-term changes in climate will have negative impacts on living standards. Many hotspots are in locations that hitherto have not been identified as particularly vulnerable to climate change. Moreover, hotspots have distinguishing features that vary from country to country. This detailed assessment provides a mosaic of information that enriches our understanding of how climate change will impact people and which populations are most vulnerable. The report also provides guidance on the kinds of actions are most likely to reduce impacts of climate change in each country. The study is a major contribution to our understanding of how increasing temperatures and changing precipitation patterns interact with social and economic structures at a fine granular level across South Asia.

Inequality in South Asia appears to be moderate when looking at standard indicators, such as the Gini index, that are based on consumption expenditures per capita. But other pieces of evidence reveal enormous gaps, from extravagant wealth at one end to appalling human development outcomes at the other. Which prompts the question: How bad is inequality in South Asia? And why would that matter? Addressing Inequality in South Asia takes a comprehensive look at the extent, nature, and drivers of inequality in this very dynamic region of the world. It discusses how some dimensions of inequality, such as high returns to investments in human capital, contribute to economic growth while others, such as high payoffs to rent-seeking, or broken aspirations, undermine it. Drawing on a variety of data sources, it disentangles the contribution that opportunity in young age, mobility in adult years, and support throughout life make to inequality at any point in time. The analysis shows that South Asia performs poorly in terms of opportunity. Access to basic services is partial at best, and can be traced to characteristics at birth, including gender, location, and caste. Conversely, despite its cluttered urbanization and widespread informality, the region has had a robust performance in terms of mobility, both across generations and within the same generation. Migration and jobs have served disadvantaged groups well, highlighting the importance of the urbanization and private sector development agendas. Finally, support falls somewhere in between. Poverty alleviation programs are pervasive, but the mobilization of public resources is limited and much of it is wasted in regressive subsidies, while intergovernmental transfers do not do enough to mitigate spatial inequalities.

South Asia is undergoing a rapid economic transformation and has the potential to become the next major middle-income region of the world. More than a million young people are reaching working age every month, and the population of the region's mega agglomerations and sprawling cities is expanding at roughly the same pace. By 2030 more than a quarter of the world's working adults will live in South Asia. But the region has not been particularly successful in integrating within itself and with the global economy. The demographic transition and urbanization on the one hand, and poor competitiveness on the other, are South Asia's greatest opportunity and greatest challenge. At a time when the growth rate of international trade has dramatically slowed, what will determine the region's ability to become an export powerhouse, create jobs, reduce poverty, and boost shared prosperity? South Asia's Turn: Policies to Boost Competitiveness and Create the Next Export Powerhouse looks for answers in the dynamics of firms, value chains, cities, and clusters across the region. The book identifies several factors that limit the ability of South Asia to compete with the rest of the world, and proposes new perspectives on opportunities to boost productivity.

Can South Asia's cities become engines of prosperity and livability? This report analyzes urbanization in South Asia, revealing policy and market failures hindering its potential. Discover how to manage spatial transformation for economic growth and improved living conditions. This report examines key challenges, including congestion, inadequate infrastructure, and housing shortages. Learn about innovative approaches to urban governance, finance, and spatial planning. Explore strategies for building resilient cities and adapting to climate change. For policy makers, urban planners, and anyone seeking actionable insights for sustainable urban development in South Asia. Understand the region's unique urbanization patterns and unlock its tremendous potential for a prosperous and livable future.