The World Bank Group’s Poverty and Equity Assessmentshelp policymakers better understand the drivers of poverty and inequality in their countries, and how to address them. These evidence-based analytical reports explore how to make economic growth work better for people living in poverty, and they propose a set of actionable policy priorities.

Redesigned in 2025 to be more operational and impactful amid today’s global development challenges, the new generation of Poverty and Equity Assessments is standardized, substantive, and strategic. They are standardized to enhance speed, quality, and comparability across countries; substantive to deliver deeper insights into the drivers of poverty, inequality, and resilience; and strategic to link evidence directly to policy and operations for greater impact.

This new approach emphasizes that jobs are the most powerful pathway out of poverty, especially when supported by strong foundations, such as investments in people, equal access to opportunities, and systems that protect individuals and families against shocks and setbacks. The revamped Poverty and Equity Assessments provide policymakers and stakeholders with a clear roadmap to turn evidence into action, effectively tackle poverty and inequality, and ultimately improve people’s lives.

Poverty and Equity Assessments: Structure and Detailed Outline (PDF)