Episode 49 Administrative Data: The Government’s Hidden Asset

Over 60% of leading AI training datasets are dominated by English and other high-resource languages. What does this mean for developing countries? Drawing on Chapters 1–3 of the World Development Report 2026, this episode explores how AI can bridge skill gaps, why advanced technologies remain concentrated in a few economies, and what it takes to turn global innovations into local solutions. From AI-powered farming advice in Kenya to diagnostic challenges in Thailand, discover how investments in infrastructure, skills, and local adaptation can help developing countries unlock AI's potential for inclusive growth. Generated with AI using wondercraft.ai and guided by our experts. Read more at https://www.worldbank.org/en/publication/wdr2026

Around 811 million people live in extreme poverty, yet many are already working. So why aren't jobs enough to lift people out of poverty?   This episode explores the World Bank's Poverty, Prosperity, and Planet Report 2026: Jobs at the Center of Poverty Eradication, revealing why higher earnings, better education, and more productive employment are essential to reducing poverty. From improving agricultural livelihoods to expanding wage employment, we examine how different pathways can help families escape poverty, build economic security, and achieve lasting prosperity.   Generated with AI using wondercraft.ai and guided by our experts.   Read more at https://openknowledge.worldbank.org/entities/publication/6fbbb475-58f1-49e0-90b3-f329e8124694  

More schools, more healthcare workers, bigger budgets—but are public services actually getting better? This episode explores how external assessments reveal hidden gaps in public service quality and citizen trust. Drawing on examples from Peru, Finland, and Norway, we examine how tools such as the Global Education Policy Dashboard, Service Delivery Indicators, and OECD trust surveys help governments measure frontline performance, identify weaknesses, and make evidence-based improvements. Generated with AI using wondercraft.ai and guided by our experts. Read more at https://www.worldbank.org/en/publication/government-analytics

Nearly 40% of users report difficulty navigating government websites. So why do well-built digital services still lose users?   This episode explores how behavioral science can help governments close the “last mile” between making services available and getting people to actually use them. Through Behavioral User Journey Mapping, COM-B, and examples from countries including Brazil, South Korea, Moldova, and Singapore, we examine how reducing friction, building trust, and simplifying choices can improve digital service uptake.   Generated with AI using wondercraft.ai and guided by our experts. Read more at https://documents.worldbank.org/en/publication/documents-reports/documentdetail/099070626083570756  

Survey participation jumped from 37% to 69% when employees saw that their feedback could lead to real change. But collecting survey data is only the first step. This episode explores how governments can turn public servant surveys into action through better benchmarking, tailored reporting, stronger accountability, and leadership. It also looks at why survey design matters—and how feedback can become a practical tool for building a more responsive and effective public sector.   Generated with AI using wondercraft.ai and guided by our experts.   Read more at https://www.worldbank.org/en/publication/government-analytics

Around two-thirds of emerging market and developing economies—and about 90% of low-income countries—depend substantially on commodity exports. This episode explores how resource-rich countries can reduce boom-and-bust cycles, manage windfalls, strengthen fiscal institutions, and invest temporary revenues in lasting growth. It also looks at how the energy transition could reshape risks and opportunities for fossil-fuel and mineral exporters.   Generated with AI using wondercraft.ai and guided by our experts.   Read more at https://www.worldbank.org/en/research/publication/fiscal-policy-in-commodity-exporters

40% of Brazil’s federal civil servants were projected to retire by 2030, while tax auditors with similar experience showed a five-fold difference in gross pay. This episode explores how governments can use administrative data they already collect—from payroll and procurement to service-delivery records—to uncover inefficiencies, improve planning, and measure performance more accurately. It also examines why reliable insights depend on strong, consistent data systems. Generated with AI using wondercraft.ai and guided by our experts. Read more at https://www.worldbank.org/en/publication/government-analytics  

💰 Ghana doubled property-tax collections with digital tools, Ethiopia increased VAT revenue by almost 50%, and Sierra Leone raised tax payments by 20% by showing taxpayers what local services their taxes supported. This episode explores *Raising Revenue Right: A Roadmap for Domestic Resource Mobilization* and asks what makes tax systems work better. Through examples from Mexico, Ghana, Ethiopia, Argentina, and Sierra Leone, we examine how better diagnosis, technology, transparency, and trust can help governments raise revenue more efficiently, fairly, and sustainably. Generated with AI using wondercraft.ai and guided by our experts. Read more at https://www.worldbank.org/en/publication/raising-revenue-right  

Nearly 70% of the indicators used to assess public financial management reforms in Malawi measured changes in form—not whether the system actually worked. This episode, the second on the series from The Government Analytics Handbook, explores how misleading metrics can create an illusion of success and even harmful incentives. Learn how balanced data, qualitative evidence, leadership, and strong review routines can help governments turn analytics into better decisions and meaningful action.  Generated with AI using wondercraft.ai and guided by our experts. Read more at https://www.worldbank.org/en/publication/government-analytics  

$10 billion in annual savings. A potential 40% increase in tax revenue. A 32% greater chance of completing public projects. This episode explores how governments can unlock these gains by using the administrative data they already collect. Drawing on *The Government Analytics Handbook*, it examines how analytics can improve management, strengthen public services, identify fiscal risks, and turn existing records into better decisions.   Generated with AI using wondercraft.ai and guided by our experts.   Read more at https://www.worldbank.org/en/publication/government-analytics