UNU-WIDER

Graphic of WIDER Research Brief on climate disasters and tax morale in sub-Saharan Africa, featuring a mountainous landscape with industrial elements.

Climate disasters are eroding trust—and tax morale—in sub-Saharan Africa.

New UNU-WIDER research finds droughts, floods & extreme heat reduce citizens’ willingness to pay taxes, especially in unequal, underserved areas.

Smart climate policy can help.

🔗 go.unu.edu/sVLto

📢 New Policy Brief: How to make aid work in fragile states
Aid in fragile contexts needs more than technical fixes. The brief calls for long-term, flexible support rooted in local legitimacy.

📄: go.unu.edu/pTvBB

#FragileAid @apvjustino.bsky.social @rgisselquist.bsky.social @anvaccaro.bsky.social‬

Did you miss our 2025 WIDER Development Conference?

All videos from the conference, Safeguarding tomorrow – innovative approaches to growth and equity, have now been published.

Check them out: go.unu.edu/ki99d

40 years of building a global network 🌐🧑‍🔬

UNU-WIDER operates globally through a network of expert partners. As Joseph Stiglitz explains, WIDER nurtures richer dialogue by connecting researchers worldwide.

Watch the full video on the global nature of our network ➡️ go.unu.edu/PEdIv

#WIDER40

🎥 One week on from #ATI2025, Dr Amina Ebrahim shares insights from the Assembly in Addis Ababa. The Assembly made clear that progress is being driven by shared learning and country-led approaches.

Watch the clip and read the full article: go.unu.edu/Pts1s

Two children walking hand-in-hand down a street, with a text overlay that says "WIDER Working Paper, Son preference and multidimensional well-being"

🆕 Working paper: How does son preference affect well-being in Pakistani households?

Our research using a novel "gender preference at birth" measure reveals complex intra-household dynamics that challenge traditional approaches to gender equality policy.

Read it here: go.unu.edu/VVIgT

Hands exchanging banknotes over a patterned surface, with a text overlay that reads "WIDER Working Paper, Social protection programmes and climate resilience in conflict affected settings"

Can social protection build climate resilience in conflict-affected areas?

A new paper shows Ethiopia’s Productive Safety Net Programme helps with climate shocks but falls short on long-term solutions. More resources & stable funding are key!

Read more: go.unu.edu/IUwUW

🌍 New research brief, in collaboration with researchers at @odi.global Can carbon pricing drive a fairer green transition?

Authors show how global price gaps, CBAM, and weak redistribution could deepen inequality—unless we rethink how revenues are used and support is delivered. 🔗 go.unu.edu/BUHQK

UNU-WIDER—or WILDER? 🤔

As Nobel Laureate and UNU-WIDER's co-founder Amartya Sen, WIDER was more than an acronym—it was a vision for equity, ethics, and interdisciplinary research.

Since 1985, we’ve stayed true to that mission. Check out the video to learn more: go.unu.edu/wkPd1

#WIDER40

📢 Check out our new blog!
Experts from Mozambique, South Africa, Uganda, and Zambia shared insights on strengthening data systems for policymaking at a recent workshop. Read how adapting to local contexts and building trust through data protocols can be the key. 👉 go.unu.edu/o2uxm

Can conflict deepen commitment to democracy? Insights from Ukraine's Donbas from 2014 reveal a dual response:

🔸 Trust in state institutions declined in areas most affected by occupation
🔸 Support for democratic rules remained strong

📘Read the full brief to learn more: go.unu.edu/GxkNG

3️⃣days of #ATI2025 & 1️⃣shared goal: building fair & effective tax systems that strengthen domestic revenue mobilisation.

We explored themes including:
➡️Tax compliance gaps
➡️Tax & sustainability
➡️Progressive reform

Thank you to all ATI members & partners!
#fairtaxation

At Day 1 of #ATIGA2025 speakers called for:

✅ Greater tax transparency & trust
✅ Broader, more inclusive tax bases
✅ Stronger South–South learning

UNU-WIDER is contributing to these conversations with evidence to support context-specific reform 👉 go.unu.edu/DEMVk

Can higher taxes on top earners boost revenue & reduce inequality? Uganda's 2012-2013 tax reform resulted in:
🔹 UGX 206B more in revenue
🔹 Modest drop in inequality
🔹 Most top earners maintained reported income
Read more about the findings and lessons for other SSA countries: go.unu.edu/YE4R2

For 40 years, UNU-WIDER has advanced development economics with real-world impact.

Hear from researchers whose careers and policy impact have grown through data and collaboration at UNU-WIDER.

🎥 Watch the stories: go.unu.edu/kKK8t

#WIDER40

The latest issue of the WIDERAngle newsletter is out now! 🚨

In this edition, we reflect on two key events: #FfD4, where our side events explored debt sustainability and data-driven capacity building, and the 2025 WIDER Development Conference.

Plus new research and opportunities: go.unu.edu/hXB9c

A classroom setting showcasing students engaged and raising their hands,with an overlay with text "WIDER Working Paper, What shapes parents' attitudes towards bilinguag education?" in red and orange backgrounds.

What shapes parents' views on bilingual education? 🤔 Our study in Mozambique shows that the key was information. Parents who understood why bilingual education works became its biggest champions.

Read more: go.unu.edu/GaHds

On 15–16 July, global researchers and policymakers meet online for the annual SOUTHMOD Workshop—advancing tax-benefit modelling for better policy.

Highlights include:
🔹New Statistics Presenter tool
🔹Research on PIT and labour markets
🔹New Methods

🔗 go.unu.edu/Gtb8w

At #WIDERDevConf2025, 160+ leading thinkers came together to reimagine how social protection can drive inclusive, sustainable development. The message was clear: social protection is not a luxury. It is a cornerstone of equitable development and economic resilience. Read more 👉 go.unu.edu/Br0z3

Our latest research brief on the value-added tax gap in Tanzania:

- The VAT tax gap is a significant 62% for SMEs
- Micro and small businesses and those declaring 0 VAT have the largest tax gap
- Medium businesses have the highest amount of unpaid VAT

Read more: go.unu.edu/QKKJe

Rachel Gisselquist speaking into a microphone at the WIDER Development Conference in Helsinki, June 2025.

How can development cooperation thrive in fragile, conflict-affected areas?

At #WIDERDevConf2025, Rachel Gisselquist shared insights from her book Fragile Aid:
👉 No one-size-fits-all
👉Inclusive ownership matters
👉Small, adaptive programs work

More: go.unu.edu/HuQTL

Cover of the book, Social Security in Developing Countries, by Ehtisham Ahmad, Jean Drèze, John Hills, Amartya Sen

The book that shifted the development debate 📘🌍

"Social Security in Developing Countries" challenged the idea that social security is just for wealthy nations. It shows how inclusive systems can boost resilience in the Global South.

Read here: go.unu.edu/3jMuQ
#WIDER40

India’s ageing population is growing fast—but pensions aren’t keeping up.

In our new conference blog, Shreya Bhattacharya and @shreyaseedas.bsky.social explore how state-by-state pension gaps are deepening inequalities in retirement, work, and wellbeing. 👉 go.unu.edu/lf08Q

#WIDERDevConf2025

Can sub-Saharan Africa unlock sustainable growth? Our policy brief shares insights on how to increase the domestic savings rate—by improving capital markets and pension systems, fintech innovation, and more inclusive financial services—and unlock investment potential across SSA. go.unu.edu/ga4aQ

We sponsored a session at #ECINEQ2025 on inequality over the life course today
🔑 takeaways:
🎓 SA: Schooling inequality drops, but earnings inequality stays high
💵 Brazil's cash transfers boost education & job outcomes for adults
🩺 Early health is vital for intergenerational mobility
go.unu.edu/Fq9sl

Check out our latest blog by UNU-WIDER Director Kunal Sen & Marie-France Boucher on #FFD4 takeaways!

💡 Rethinking debt sustainability
🚀 Innovation in using data for tax policy
🔍 We need to prioritize people, not just creditors.

go.unu.edu/693R8

More than a decade since South Africa introduced the Employment Tax Incentive to tackle youth unemployment, the rate remains above 46%.
In this blog, Amina Ebrahim examines what the policy has achieved, & what it will take to turn intent into real opportunity.▶️ go.unu.edu/XoCMJ

UNU-WIDER invites original research submissions for the 2026 WIDER Development Conference in New Delhi. The conference convenes experts to discuss growth, governance, and geopolitics.
Check the details and send your submission by Sept 1st 👉 go.unu.edu/hdUtm

It's been a year since we launched our free, open-access training in tax-benefit microsimulation for the Global South! 🎉 Over 500 learners—analysts, students, policymakers, and researchers—have joined us. Want to be one of them?

Access the course here: go.unu.edu/wE0aP #SOUTHMOD

Excited for the ECINEQ conference in D.C.! Join us at the World Bank to discuss "Sharing Prosperity" and tackle economic inequality.

Our session explores poverty and inequality in LMICs using tax administrative data sources.

Register online: go.unu.edu/sCZDm