Deteriorating health, education and training in many developing countries is dramatically depressing the future earnings of children born today, the World Bank has said. In a report, the World Bank urges policymakers to focus on improving outcomes in three settings: homes, neighbourhoods and workplaces. The report, Building Human Capital Where it Matters, finds that in 86 of 129 low- and middle-income countries health, education, or workplace learning declined between 2010 and 2025. Mamta Murthi, its vice-president for people, said: “The prosperity of low- and middle-income countries depends on their ability to build and protect human capital. And it suggests countries at similar income levels can vary significantly in human capital – highlighting Jamaica, Kenya, Kyrgyzstan and Vietnam as success stories.

Source: The Guardian February 12, 2026 14:16 UTC