Zia Qureshi is a senior fellow in the Global Economy and Development program at the Brookings Institution. His research and commentary cover a broad range of global economic issues and public policy in advanced and emerging market economies. He has led research projects at Brookings on technological change, globalization, and the shifting growth and distribution dynamics in the world today.
A key focus of Qureshi’s recent research has been how technology is reshaping economies and public policy agendas. This research examines the implications of digital transformation and artificial intelligence for productivity, economic growth, finance, jobs, income distribution, and related public policies. The research has been published in a range of articles and three edited books: Growth in a Time of Change: Global and Country Perspectives on a New Agenda (2020), Shifting Paradigms: Growth, Finance, Jobs, and Inequality in the Digital Economy (2022), and Harnessing Technology for Inclusive Prosperity: Growth, Work, and Inequality in the Digital Era (2024). He also led research for a published report on Productive Equity: The Twin Challenges of Reviving Productivity and Reducing Inequality (2019).
Qureshi’s recent research has also focused on how the global economy and globalization are being transformed by technology and other forces such as shifting geopolitics and climate change. It examines the challenges the changing global economic and geopolitical context poses for institutions and policymakers at national and global levels. This research has been published in an edited book: New Global Dynamics: Managing Economic Change in a Transforming World (2024). Qureshi’s current research examines the implications of the new global dynamics for multilateralism in the 21st century.
Prior to joining Brookings, Qureshi worked at the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund for 35 years. During that period, he held leadership positions across a wide range of responsibilities. His last position at the World Bank was as director, Development Economics. He also served as executive secretary of the IMF-World Bank Joint Ministerial Development Committee, and represented the World Bank at major international forums, including the G20. He led several World Bank and IMF flagship publications.
He holds a doctorate in economics from Oxford University, where he was a Rhodes Scholar.
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Past Positions
- Director, Strategy and Operations, Office of Senior Vice President Development Economics and Chief Economist, World Bank (2011-2015)
- Senior Adviser, Office of Senior Vice President Development Economics and Chief Economist, World Bank (2006-2011)
- Executive Secretary, Development Committee - Joint Ministerial Committee of IMF and World Bank (2005-2006)
- Senior Adviser, Office of Managing Director Operations, and Head of Global Monitoring Secretariat, World Bank (2003-2005)
- Sector Manager/Director, Economic Policy Department, and Chair of Economic Policy Sector Board (2000-2002)
- Lead Economist and Country Program Coordinator, Korea Department, World Bank (1998-2000)
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Education
- D.Phil. in Economics, Oxford University (1980)
- M.Phil. in Economics, Oxford University (1977)
- M.A. in Economics, Punjab University (1975)
- B.A. (Honors) in Economics, Politics, and History, Punjab University (1972)
- Rhodes Scholar