According to the World Bank, more than half the world is made up of middle-income countries. Home to 75% of the world’s population, they include nearly two thirds of its poor, while producing a third of the world’s total economic output.

Many of these countries face similar challenges—from population growth that infrastructure can’t support to a lack of investment capital, skilled workers, rising poverty, government corruption and political instability. It’s a vicious cycle with enormous risks and no easy answers.

To discuss:

• Inaki Martinez Soria is a political analyst and the founder of eWire.
• Joseph Ochieno is an African affairs writer and commentator.
• Yan Liang is a Chair Professor at Willamette University.

For more:

Road crashes aren't only a human tragedy- these also have high socio-economic costs, esp on the poor. The total economic costs of #roadtraffic fatalities + injuries in lower-middle income countries range between 2-6% equivalent of the GDP.https://t.co/cVxWduIRQQ #transport pic.twitter.com/z314R4nPvu

— World Bank Transport (@WBG_Transport) July 8, 2024

Domestic food price inflation remains high in many low- and middle-income countries. See our latest Food Security Update: https://t.co/50UBjvtTmC pic.twitter.com/rVzfJmbKYD

— World Bank (@WorldBank) July 1, 2024