World Bank Research Observer

Aims & Scope

The World Bank journals enjoy the largest circulation of any economics title; the Research Observer is freely distributed to more than 9,100 subscribers in non-OECD countries.

The World Bank Research Observer seeks to inform nonspecialist readers about research being undertaken within the Bank and outside the Bank in areas of economics relevant for development policy.

Requiring only a minimal background in economic analysis, its surveys and overviews of key issues in development economics research are intended for policymakers, project officers, journalists keeping up to date, and teachers and students of development economics and related disciplines.

View Aims & Scope

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Metrics & Ranking

Impact Factor

Year	Value
2025	3.3
2024	8.70

SJR (SCImago Journal Rank)

Year	Value
2024	3.281

Quartile

Year	Value
2024	Q1

h-index

Year	Value
2024	81

Journal Rank

Year	Value
2024	617

Journal Citation Indicator

Year	Value
2024	273

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Abstracting & Indexing

Journal is indexed in leading academic databases, ensuring global visibility and accessibility of our peer-reviewed research.

• Scopus
• Google Scholar
• Web of Science

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Subjects & Keywords

Journal’s research areas, covering key disciplines and specialized sub-topics in Economics, Econometrics and Finance and Social Sciences, designed to support cutting-edge academic discovery.

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Most Cited Articles

The Most Cited Articles section features the journal's most impactful research, based on citation counts. These articles have been referenced frequently by other researchers, indicating their significant contribution to their respective fields.

• Social Capital: Implications for Development Theory, Research, and Policy

  Citation: 2176

  Authors: M., D.

• THE DANGERS OF DECENTRALIZATION

  Citation: 823

  Authors: Rémy

• Rethinking the Causes of Deforestation: Lessons from Economic Models

  Citation: 569

  Authors: A., D.

• Contagion: Understanding How It Spreads

  Citation: 503

  Authors: R., Y. C., S.

• Intrahousehold Bargaining and Resource Allocation in Developing Countries

  Citation: 410

  Authors: C.

• Growth and Institutions: A Review of the Evidence

  Citation: 403

  Authors: J.

• SOME LESSONS FROM THE EAST ASIAN MIRACLE

  Citation: 372

  Authors: J. E.

• What Are We Learning from Business Training and Entrepreneurship Evaluations around the Developing World?

  Citation: 337

  Authors: D., C.

• Evaluating the Impact of Conditional Cash Transfer Programs

  Citation: 333

  Authors: L. B.

• New Structural Economics: A Framework for Rethinking Development

  Citation: 325

  Authors: J. Y.

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