The World Bank is one of the world’

The World Bank is one of the world’s largest sources of funding and knowledge to support governments of member countries in their efforts to invest in schools and health centers, provide water and electricity, fight disease and protect the environment. This support is provided through project or policy-based loans and grants as well as technical assistance such as advice and studies.

The goal of the World Bank is to reduce poverty and to improve the living standards of the people in low and middle-income countries.

The World Bank was established in 1944, as the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development. Recently the "World Bank" name has come to be used for the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD) and the International Development Association (IDA). When it first began operations to speed post World War II reconstruction, it had 38 members, now it has 184, almost all the countries in the world. As membership grew and their needs changed, the World Bank expanded and is currently made up of five different agencies.

The World Bank is present in 100 countries and has a staff of approximately 10,600 people from around the world. One of the Bank’s main strengths is the international experience provided by its diverse staff.

All support to a borrowing country is guided by a single strategy (called the Country Assistance Strategy) that the country itself designs with help from the World Bank and many other donors, aid groups, and civil society organizations.