The World Bank

We are not a bank in the common sense. Owned by 187 member countries, we are one of the world's largest sources of development assistance, with a mission of fighting poverty with passion by helping people help themselves.

Conceived in 1944 to reconstruct a war torn Europe, we work in more than 100 developing countries, bringing a mix of financing programs and ideas to improve living standards and eliminate the worst forms of poverty.

less