💊 People spend half a trillion dollars out-of-pocket on health in developing countries annually

Plus: A conversation with World Bank Group President David Malpass. [Having trouble seeing this email?](  [A mother holding her newborn at a clinic in Bangladesh. Photo: © Rama George-Alleyne/World Bank](  [People spend half a trillion dollars out-of-pocket on health in developing countries annually]( Such expenses hit the poor the hardest, according to a new report by the World Bank Group launched ahead of the G20 Summit. It says that lack of universal access to quality, affordable health services threatens decades-long progress on health, endangers countries’ long-term economic prospects, and makes them more vulnerable to pandemic risks. [Blog: On the Agenda for the G20 This Week: Financing Universal Health Coverage]( [Facebook]( [Twitter](  [Solar panels on a farm in Mali. Photo: © Curt Carnemark/World Bank](  [Mini grids can provide electricity to nearly 500 million people by 2030]( Estimates show that to achieve universal access to electricity by 2030, 40 percent of all installed capacity will have to come from mini grids. A new report provides the most comprehensive study on mini grades to date. [Facebook]( [Twitter]( [A young man studying at a library. © Dominic Chavez/World Bank](  [Here is your summer reading list on social protection!]( Suggestions stem from ten thematic questions, drawing from 480 materials! [Facebook]( [Twitter]( --------------------------------------------------------------- Blogs ---------------------------------------------------------------  [Employees of Souq.com working together in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. Photo © Dominic Chavez/ International Finance Corporation]( [Mashreq 2.0: Boosting growth & creating jobs through digital transformation]( “Outside the dominant paradigms that portray the region in popular media, the Mashreq is the epicenter of the world’s fastest growing data transit market. Data traffic growth within the region will increase at a precipitous 42% compounded annual growth rate from 2016 to 2021. Influenced by historically intertwined geographic and cultural ties, MENA-Europe data exchange grows at over 50% per year.” Carlo Maria Rossotto and Marolla Haddad – June 27 [Facebook]( [Twitter]( --------------------------------------------------------------- You don't want to miss this! ---------------------------------------------------------------  [World Bank Group President, David Malpass. © The Economic Club of New York]( [Fireside Chat on the World Bank Group’s priorities]( Watch World Bank Group President David Malpass as he speaks with Steve Forbes of the Economic Club of New York on the World Bank Group's priorities, including country programs that lead to less poverty, more inclusive economic growth and increased resilience. [Facebook]( [Twitter](  --------------------------------------------------------------- Social Media --------------------------------------------------------------- [Check out the @WorldBank #WorldDevelopmentIndicators website — 1,600 indicators for 217 economies, with time series data extending back more than 50 years! #opendata]( [Unemployment in Papua New Guinea is at least 31% for people 15-24 years old. A youth employment project in the capital city of Port Moresby helped 18,500 young people get training and temporary employment. Within 6 months, nearly half reported they had found work. More in this story.]( --------------------------------------------------------------- In the News --------------------------------------------------------------- - [Sri Lanka Strengthens Its Climate Resilience]( - [World Bank Signs $31.58 million Loan Agreement to Help Strengthen Uttarakhand’s Public Financial Management Systems]( --------------------------------------------------------------- Jobs --------------------------------------------------------------- - [Principal Investment Officer – Mumbai, India]( - [Chief Investment Officer DARP – Washington, DC]( --------------------------------------------------------------- Data Viz --------------------------------------------------------------- [Mini grids data chart]( Today, 47 million people are connected to a mini grid. Afghanistan, Myanmar, India and Nepal have the highest number of mini grids, followed by China, Philippines, Indonesia. Analysis by the Energy Sector Management Assistance Program (ESMAP) shows that by 2030, nearly half a billion people could be connected to a mini grid. [Read More.]( [facebook]( [twitter]( [instagram]( [instagram]( [instagram]( Accredited journalists may obtain advance access to reports and information by registering with the Bank's [Online Media Briefing Center]( a password-protected site for working journalists. Material in this newsletter is copyrighted. Requests to reproduce it, in whole or in part, should be addressed to pubrights@worldbank.org For more information visit our website: [worldbank.org](. [Access to Information]( | [Operational Summary]( | [Other Bank Newsletters]( | [Privacy Policy]( [Unsubscribe from this list]( | [Update subscription preferences](