The World Development Report (WDR) is an annual report published since 1978 by the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD) or World Bank. Each WDR provides in-depth analysis of a specific aspect of economic development. Past reports have considered such topics as agriculture, youth, equity, public services delivery, the role of the state, transition economies, labour, infrastructure, health, the environment, risk management, and poverty. The reports are the Bank's best-known contribution to thinking about development

Recognized as an indispensable resource for policymakers, economists, journalists, and professionals of all kinds, the World Development Report continues to survey and synthesize contemporary economic issues in developed and developing countries. The 1988 Report surveys opportunities and risks in adjustment and growth worldwide, with a special section on public finance in growth development, providing an up-to-date, informative analysis of recent trends with an abundance of supporting data. As always, the Report incorporates research from all over the world, analyzing the conditions that surround the growth process and offering insights on appropriate policy measures for the future.