Created in 1945, shortly after the second world war, the World Bank groups together five international institutions: The International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD), The International Development Association,  (IDA), the International Finance Corporation (IFC), the Multilateral Investment Guarantee Agency (MIGA) and the International Centre for Settlement of Investment Disputes (ICSID).

The headquarters of the World Bank is in Washington. It is part of the specialized institutions of the United Nations Organization (UN).

Its activity is today mostly centred on developing countries, in areas like education, agriculture, health… It grants loans at preferential rates to member countries that are in difficulty. In return it calls for political policies (called “structural adjustment policies”) aimed at, for example, reducing corruption, maintaining a balanced budget or facilitating the emergence of democracy.

The activity of the World Bank is often criticized for two different reasons. On one hand, sitting governments put off taking anti-corruption measures and organizing real elections. On the other hand, anti-globalization movements accuse the World Bank of responding more to the requirements of multinationals than local populations.  Each year, it publishes a report on a development theme in its World Development Report.