economy
February 12, 2026
Declines in health and education in poor countries ‘harming earning potential’
World Bank says children born today could earn 51% more over lifetime if their country’s human capital improved
TL;DR
- Deteriorating health, education, and training in many developing countries are depressing future earnings for children born today.
- In 86 out of 129 low- and middle-income countries, health, education, or workplace learning declined between 2010 and 2025.
- Children born today could earn 51% more if their country's human capital matched top-performing nations at similar income levels.
- Factors affecting human capital include malnutrition, poor care in homes (like 'left-behind children' in China), crime in neighborhoods (e.g., San Salvador), and lack of formal training/opportunities in workplaces.
- The World Bank urges policymakers to focus on improving outcomes in homes, neighborhoods, and workplaces, recommending policies like parenting support, clean water, and apprenticeships.
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