Economic Research Forum (ERF)

Norman Loayza

Author

Norman Loayza
Lead Economist, Development Research Group, World Bank

Norman Loayza currently heads the World Bank's research hub for Asia, based in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Most recently, he was director of the World Development Report 2014, Risk and Opportunity: Risk Management for Development. Norman is Peruvian and holds a Ph.D. in economics from Harvard University, awarded in 1994. Since then he has worked in the World Bank research group, except in 1999-2000 when he was a senior economist at the Central Bank of Chile. Norman's research has addressed various areas of economic and social development, including macroeconomic management through monetary and fiscal policy, reforms for economic growth and productivity, an analysis of investment returns and risks across the world. His advisory experience at the World Bank has covered several regions and countries of the world, including Brazil, Colombia, Egypt, Georgia, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Pakistan, Peru, Sri Lanka, and Tunisia. Norman has edited 10 books and published over 50 articles in professional journals and books.

Content by this Author

The future of work: race with – not against – the machine

History suggests that in the long term, fears of technology leading to job loss and reduced wages are misplaced. But in the short and medium term, dislocation can be severe for certain types of work, places and populations. This column argues that in the transition period, policies are needed to facilitate labour market flexibility and mobility, to introduce and strengthen safety nets and social protection, and to improve education and training.

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A Macroeconomic Accounting of Unemployment in Jordan:  Unemployment is mainly an issue for adults and men

Since unemployment rates in Jordan are higher among young people and women than other groups, unemployment is commonly characterised as a youth and gender issue. However, the majority of the country’s unemployed are adults and men. This suggests that unemployment is primarily a macroeconomic issue challenge for the entire labour market. The appropriate response therefore is coordinated fiscal, monetary, structural and institutional policies, while more targeted measures can still benefit specific groups.

Global value chains and sustainable development

What is the role of exchange rate undervaluation in promoting participation in global value chains by firms in developing countries? What is the impact of the stringency of national environmental regulations on firms’ GVC participation? And how do firms’ political connections affect their participation in GVCs? These questions will be explored for the MENA region at a special session of the ERF annual conference, which takes place in Cairo in April 2025.

Adoption of decentralised solar energy: lessons from Palestinian households

The experience of Palestinian households offers a compelling case study of behavioural adaptation to energy poverty via solar water heater adoption. This column highlights the key barriers to solar energy adoption in terms of both the socio-economic status and dwellings of potential users. Policy-makers need to address these barriers to ensure a just and equitable transition, particularly for households in conflict-affected areas across the MENA region.

Migration, human capital and labour markets in MENA

Migration is a longstanding and integral part of the MENA region’s economic and social fabric, with profound implications for labour markets and human capital development. To harness the potential of migration for promoting economic and social development, policy-makers must aim to deliver mutual benefits for origin countries, host countries and migrants. Such a triple-win strategy requires better data, investment in return migration, skill partnerships, reduced remittance costs and sustained support for host countries.




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