The World Bank Institute for Economic Development offers a range of online learning opportunities designed to strengthen practical skills in areas such as data visualization, behavioural science, agricultural development, data management, and women’s economic empowerment.
These courses are delivered online and cover both technical and policy-focused topics. They can be useful for students, researchers, development professionals, government officials, economists, data professionals and other learners interested in building skills relevant to economic and social development.
Below are five courses, with each course highlighted separately alongside its respective course link.
1. Fundamentals of Data Visualization: Crafting Compelling Stories with Data
Delivery Mode: E-Learning
Location: Online
Language: English
Duration: 8 hours
Delivery Date Listed: March 31, 2026
The Fundamentals of Data Visualization course introduces learners to the principles of presenting data clearly and effectively.
The course focuses on the importance of data visualization as a communication tool and teaches participants how to select appropriate visualization methods depending on the type of data and communication objective.
What You Will Learn
Participants will learn how to:
- Select the most suitable chart type for different datasets.
- Understand the different components of a chart.
- Apply best practices for creating clear and intuitive visualizations.
- Turn complex questions and datasets into understandable visuals.
- Create maps and infographics using Excel.
- Improve the effectiveness of data-driven communication.
The course is particularly relevant for people who regularly work with data and need to communicate findings to decision-makers, colleagues, clients or the public.
Course Link
Enroll in Fundamentals of Data Visualization
2. Introduction to Behavioral Science in Public Policy
The Introduction to Behavioral Science in Public Policy course provides learners with an introduction to how behavioural science can influence the design and implementation of public policies.
The course explores how people think and make decisions and how behavioural factors can influence the effectiveness of government policies and programmes.
Areas Covered
The course looks at behavioural science applications in areas including:
Participants are introduced to concepts involving automatic thinking, social influences and mental models. They also explore how cognitive biases can affect human behaviour and ultimately influence policy outcomes.
The World Bank describes the course as a prerequisite for accessing its full behavioural courses catalogue.
Course Details
Duration: 6 hours
Format: E-learning
Videos: 8 videos
Community: Multiple discussion forums
Course Link
Take the Introduction to Behavioral Science in Public Policy course
3. Using Evidence to Improve Jobs and Income in Agriculture
The Using Evidence to Improve Jobs and Income in Agriculture course provides practical guidance on using evidence to design better agricultural interventions.
The course forms part of the AgriConnect learning ecosystem, which provides a structured learning pathway from masterclasses to online courses and practitioner-led discussions.
It is based on the LEADS (Learn, Adapt, Scale) framework and focuses on translating research evidence into practical recommendations for agricultural development.
Key Areas Covered
Participants explore evidence and design considerations related to:
- Agricultural extension systems
- Input subsidies
- Irrigation
- Climate resilience
- Market access
- Agricultural interventions
- Local adaptation of development programmes
The course also draws on the Development Economics Planet Lab toolkit, which brings together global evidence and translates it into actionable design principles.
Learners are encouraged to think critically about how agricultural interventions can be adapted to local contexts while maximizing impact and minimizing unintended distortions.
Course Details
Duration: 3 hours
Format: E-learning
Video Lessons: 5 videos
Certification: Free certificate upon completion
Course Link
Enroll in Using Evidence to Improve Jobs and Income in Agriculture
4. Documenting Development Data Using Metadata Standards
The Documenting Development Data Using Metadata Standards course focuses on improving the quality, discoverability and usability of development data.
The course is particularly relevant to people who produce, manage, curate or distribute datasets and want to ensure their data is properly documented and prepared for modern data applications, including artificial intelligence.
What the Course Covers
Participants learn how to create high-quality metadata that can:
- Improve data discoverability.
- Support data reuse.
- Increase data credibility.
- Improve data usability.
- Support AI-readiness.
- Ensure compliance with international metadata standards and best practices.
The course provides practical guidance on using a specialised Metadata Editor to create structured and standards-based metadata.
Who Can Benefit?
The course is designed for data producers and curators working in organisations such as:
- Government agencies
- International organisations
- Academic data centres
- Other institutions involved in collecting, managing and disseminating data
Course Details
Duration: 15 hours
Format: Self-paced e-learning
Videos: 7 hours
Certification: Certificate upon completion
Course Link
Enroll in Documenting Development Data Using Metadata Standards
5. Women, Business & the Law Online Course
The Women, Business & the Law Online Course examines how laws and legal restrictions can influence women’s economic opportunities around the world.
This self-paced course combines video lessons, expert insights and interactive assessments to help participants understand the legal barriers affecting women’s economic participation.
The course also focuses on how research and data can be translated into practical policy solutions that support women’s economic empowerment and economic growth.
Learning Objectives
By completing the course, participants can develop an understanding of:
- Key legal constraints affecting women’s economic empowerment.
- How to translate data and research into practical policy recommendations.
- How to incorporate cross-country and regional data into policy work.
- How research can be presented to decision-makers and ministers.
- The relationship between women’s economic participation and economic growth.
Who the Course Is Looking For
The source specifically identifies the following groups:
- Government officials
- Technical staff from central banks
- Secretariat and sectoral department staff
- Officials from ministries of Economy and Finance
- Officials from gender ministries
- Social protection officials
- Civil society organisations
- Academics
- Legal professionals
- Economists
Course Link
Register for Women, Business & the Law Online Course
Why Consider These World Bank Online Courses?
Together, these five courses cover a broad range of skills that are increasingly important across development, government, research, economics and policy environments.
They provide opportunities to develop knowledge in:
- Data communication and visualization
- Behavioural science and policy design
- Evidence-based agricultural development
- Data documentation and AI readiness
- Women’s economic empowerment and law
Because the courses are delivered through e-learning, they can provide a flexible way for professionals and learners to develop additional skills alongside their existing studies or work.
Visit HERE to learn more about the World Bank Online Courses
Conclusion
The World Bank’s online learning opportunities provide training across several important areas of economic and social development. From learning how to communicate complex datasets through effective visualizations to understanding behavioural science, agricultural evidence, metadata standards and women’s economic empowerment, the courses cover both technical and policy-oriented skills.
Interested learners should review the individual course pages carefully for the latest enrolment information, course availability and any specific requirements before registering.
For more global grants, scholarships, fellowships, internships, jobs, conferences, competitions, and other career opportunities for young people, visit the Opportunities for Youth (OFY) website at www.opportunitiesforyouth.org.
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