Are MDBs Actually Implementing Reforms?
Center for Global Development
Multilateral institutions
International Bank for Reconstruction and Development
ShareholderInternational · Middle-income and creditworthy lower-income countries
The main World Bank sovereign lending institution. The UK combines a minority shareholding with separate financing instruments, including hybrid capital.
- UK ownership or participation
- 3.94% of subscriptions · 30 Jun 2026
- Lead department or body
- Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office
- UK voting rights
- 3.75% · 30 Jun 2026
- Mandate
- Loans, guarantees and policy support for development.
UK financial position
UK shareholding carrying value£2.166bn31 Mar 2026
FCDO accounting valuation; not cumulative cash paid.
Underlying source ↗UK hybrid-capital carrying value£97.989m31 Mar 2026
Separate perpetual-loan instrument; not ordinary share capital.
Underlying source ↗Accounting values, paid-in capital and funding commitments have different meanings and reporting dates. These figures are not added together.
Ownership and accountability
FCDO manages the UK financial interest. The UK has its own Executive Director office at the World Bank Group; institutional decisions are made through the multilateral boards.
Parent / group: World Bank Group; each entity has a separate UK financial relationship
Research hub
6 publications relevant to IBRD · Institution-specific research shown first
Maximising the developmental impact of MDB callable capital: project findings and path forward
ODI
The World Bank Group’s 2018 Capital Increase Package: An Independent Validation of Implementation and Results
World Bank Group — Independent Evaluation Group (IEG)
News and announcements
View in News and announcements →- FCDO reports its IBRD financial interest ↗
The 2025–26 accounts disclose the UK shareholding and hybrid-capital investment separately.
- UK sets priorities for World Bank lending, investment and guarantees ↗
The UK Governors' statement urges changes to capital adequacy assessment and greater coordination across development banks. The UK called for IFC's private-capital mobilisation to retain a focus on market-building and poorer and fragile countries. The UK Governors' statement supports expanded guarantees and welcomes the World Bank Group Guarantee Platform.
View IFC profile → · View MIGA profile →