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. 

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.