This paper reviews key findings of the IMF’s Annual Report for the fiscal year ended April 30, 1966. The report highlights that the year 1965 was characterized by substantial, although somewhat uneven, growth in the world economy. For the first time in many years, the rise in industrial output in the United States and Canada was markedly higher than in the other industrial countries, where, in the first half of the year, economic progress was generally rather slow. However, after midyear, economic activity accelerated both in the United States and in the European area.

This paper reviews key findings of the IMF’s Annual Report for the fiscal year ended April 30, 1971. The report highlights that the performance of the world economy during 1970 and the first part of 1971 was less than satisfactory in certain major respects. Performance was heavily dominated by developments in the larger industrial countries. The expansion of total world output proceeded at a slow and irregular pace, primarily because of the 1969–70 recession and ensuing moderate pickup of economic activity in the United States.

IMF economists work closely with member countries on a variety of issues. Their unique perspective on country experiences and best practices on global macroeconomic issues are often shared in the form of books on diverse topics such as cross-country comparisons, capacity building, macroeconomic policy, financial integration, and globalization.

Work is constantly reshaped by technological progress. New ways of production are adopted, markets expand, and societies evolve. But some changes provoke more attention than others, in part due to the vast uncertainty involved in making predictions about the future. The 2019 World Development Report will study how the nature of work is changing as a result of advances in technology today. Technological progress disrupts existing systems. A new social contract is needed to smooth the transition and guard against rising inequality. Significant investments in human capital throughout a person’s lifecycle are vital to this effort. If workers are to stay competitive against machines they need to train or retool existing skills. A social protection system that includes a minimum basic level of protection for workers and citizens can complement new forms of employment. Improved private sector policies to encourage startup activity and competition can help countries compete in the digital age. Governments also need to ensure that firms pay their fair share of taxes, in part to fund this new social contract. The 2019 World Development Report presents an analysis of these issues based upon the available evidence.