The World Bank has raised alarms regarding the scarcity of trained officials in low-income nations, highlighting that the effectiveness of public service delivery is closely linked to the competence of civil servants. In wealthier and more industrialized countries, a higher ratio of qualified individuals in public service contributes to more efficient governance and service provision. In contrast, developing countries, particularly those facing fragility, conflict, and violence (FCV), struggle with a lower number of public employees who often lack the necessary skills and motivations, resulting in inadequate public service delivery.

To address this issue, the World Bank advocates for reforms aimed at professionalizing public jobs in these regions. This includes implementing competency evaluations, increasing training opportunities, and leveraging technology to streamline administrative processes. Such enhancements are critical to developing a capable workforce that can improve public administration and enhance service delivery. The emphasis is on creating a more structured and merit-based system for employing public officials to ensure that the governance framework in these countries can support their development goals.

Ultimately, the World Bank's warnings underscore the importance of investing in human capital within public sectors of low-income countries. By building a more competent and motivated public workforce, these nations could significantly improve their institutional health and public service quality, leading to greater overall prosperity and stability in the long run.