EPAR Research Brief #113
Mon, 12/20/2010
Authors: 
M. Kennedy Leavens
Amy Pennington
Abstract: 

This brief analyzes the indicators used by the World Bank in its Project Appraisal Documents (PAD) to measure the outputs and outcomes of 44 Water, Sanitation and Hygiene projects in Africa and Asia from 2000-2010.  This report details the methods used to collect and organize the indicators, and provides a brief analysis of the type of indicators used and their evolution over time. A searchable spreadsheet of the indicators used in this analysis accompanies this summary. We find that some patterns emerge over time, though none are very drastic. The most common group of indicators used by the World Bank are “management” oriented indicators (28% of indicators). Management indicators are disproportionately used in African projects as compared to projects in Asia. Several projects in Africa incorporate indicators relating to legal/regulatory/policy outcomes, while projects in Asia do not. In recent years, the World Bank has used fewer indicators that measure service delivery, health, and education and awareness.

Type of Research: 
Portfolio Review
Research Topic Category: 
Household Well-Being & Equity
Health
Geographic focus: 
South Asia Region and Selected Countries
Sub-Saharan Africa
Dataset(s): 
Other Datasets

Downloadable Documents