Indigenous Peoples Overview

The world��s approximately 476 million Indigenous Peoples are critical partners in development. They manage or hold tenure rights to approximately a quarter of the world's surface area, accounting for a significant portion of the world��s biodiversity, nearly half of the earth��s protected areas, and over half of the planet��s remaining intact forests.

Despite their vital role in conservation, Indigenous Peoples experience disproportionately high levels of poverty. They make up only of the global population, yet account for of those living in extreme poverty worldwide. Indigenous Peoples�� life expectancy is than the rest of the population, and they face severe barriers to accessing basic services, education, infrastructure, and job opportunities. For example, in the , 46 percent of Indigenous households rely on unimproved sanitation facilities, compared to just 4 percent of other households. Only 57 percent of households among Indigenous communities have access to electricity for lighting purposes in the Philippines, compared to 95 percent among non-Indigenous households. In , the primary school completion rate for Indigenous women in rural areas is half the rate for non-indigenous men: 25.6 percent versus 52.5 percent.

A recent World Bank adds to evidence of Indigenous Peoples�� historic reliance on ancestral knowledge, cultural practices, and strong governance systems to sustain their communities and adapt to challenges. Secure land rights and access to basic services are key to their resilience and continued stewardship of the world��s ecosystems.

ľ��ӰԺ works closely with governments, Indigenous Peoples, and development partners around the world to recognize and support Indigenous Peoples�� unique vision, knowledge, and contributions as partners in achieving development solutions and a livable planet for all.

Last Updated: Aug 13, 2025

ľ��ӰԺ is committed to working with client countries to support the well-being of Indigenous Peoples through a range of interventions. First, with client countries, the World Bank promotes Indigenous Peoples�� visibility and societal awareness of key challenges and priorities through research, country policy dialogue, and by improving institutional capacity. Second, as requested by client governments, we support investment and policy lending to advance priority policy reforms or investments for and with Indigenous Peoples. Third, when Indigenous Peoples are present within investment project areas or when they have a collective attachment to such areas and meet the criteria established within the , the World Bank ensures that they are meaningfully consulted while avoiding or mitigating any potential adverse impacts. Finally, the World Bank provides direct grants to Indigenous Peoples' organizations; these are subject to a ��no objection�� sign-off by the relevant member country.

Over the past two decades, the World Bank has developed multiple analytical products that have contributed to global understanding of Indigenous Peoples and their key development challenges, priorities, and innovations. This focus has also increased in the World Bank's country analyses. For example, in Systematic Country Diagnostics (SCDs) for Latin America and the Caribbean, challenges faced by Indigenous Peoples were noted in only 16 percent of these studies in 2014. As of 2021, 93 percent of SCDs now include challenges faced by Indigenous Peoples.

Building on this analytical work and practical experience, the Bank provides technical assistance to governments and Indigenous Peoples to enhance strategic country and regional level dialogues with Indigenous Peoples, building trust, informing policies, and facilitating investments co-designed or with strong Indigenous Peoples�� support across the world. Examples include the 2024 World Bank�CIndigenous Peoples regional dialogues��held across Africa, Asia, Latin America, and the Pacific��with over 150 Indigenous participants from more than 50 countries, as well as country-level support in Colombia, Peru, Kenya, the Philippines, Panama, and many others.

At the request of client governments, the World Bank also supports investment and policy lending to advance Indigenous Peoples�� development and policy priorities. This is achieved through the integration of Indigenous Peoples�� development priorities into project objectives, indicators, targeted and/or tailored components and activities, as well as specific measures to ensure the representation of Indigenous Peoples in project implementation and monitoring and evaluation. Examples include the in Panama and the in India.

At the same time, in World Bank investment project financing, ESS7 on??contributes to overall development by ensuring that projects supported by the World Bank enhance opportunities for Indigenous Peoples to participate in, and benefit from, the investments financed by the Bank in ways that respect their collective rights, promote their aspirations, and do not threaten or impact their unique cultural identities and ways of life. Currently, ESS7 is being applied in approximately 33 percent of the Bank��s investment lending.

ľ��ӰԺ has also gained experience with direct financing for Indigenous Peoples through three Multi-Donor Trust Funds. This has allowed the World Bank to support innovations with Indigenous Peoples that directly inform national policies and systems to enhance their participation in development. These mechanisms include: the , which provided $9.9 million in regional grants to Indigenous Peoples and local communities' organizations between 2009 and 2022; the launched in 2010, which has supported $80 million across 12 country-level projects; and Enhancing Access to Benefits while Lowering Emissions (EnABLE), initiated in 2020, which provides $3-4 million grants in 15 (FCPF) countries.

Last Updated: Aug 13, 2025

The following examples highlight World Bank support for analytics, policy dialogue, country investments, and direct financing for Indigenous Peoples at the global, regional, and national levels.

Advancing knowledge and analytics relevant for Indigenous Peoples

In the Philippines, the World Bank collaborated with the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples to develop the 2023 flagship report, . The report compiled critical Indigenous Peoples�� data and included a land and conflict analysis. It also introduced the Indigenous Peoples and Ancestral Domain Portal and launched the country��s first Indigenous Peoples Household Survey.

World Bank direct dialogues with Indigenous Peoples

At the global level, the World Bank engages on an ongoing basis with Indigenous leaders at high-level events and in bilateral meetings to deepen understandings of Indigenous priorities while also sharing information on the Bank��s work and lessons from engagements in other regions. ľ��ӰԺ also facilitates dialogue for Indigenous organizations with its regional and country teams.?For example, in February 2025, four Indigenous leaders shared their unique perspectives with 1,800 World Bank staff working on Social Development, Environment, Climate Change, Water, and Agriculture projects worldwide. These leaders wove their personal stories into critical messages on sustainable development, highlighting key lessons for both the World Bank and the global community, reinforcing how spirituality, traditional knowledge, and cultural practices are not only central to Indigenous resilience, but also to protecting the one-third of global ecosystems that Indigenous communities currently own or manage on behalf of future generations.
At the regional level, the World Bank and the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) jointly held four dialogues in 2024��in Kenya, Cambodia, Colombia, and Fiji��covering Africa, Asia, Latin America and the Caribbean, and the Pacific. More than 150 Indigenous thought leaders from over 50 countries participated, using the platform to share priorities, challenges, and ideas for stronger collaboration at the country level. Follow-up actions include: identifying and mobilizing funds to support Kenya��s proposal to design and implement a national policy and institutional framework for Indigenous Peoples and Traditionally Marginalized Communities; establishing a format for future dialogues in Asia; and strengthening cooperation with the Abya Yala Indigenous Forum (FIAY), the Indigenous Fund for Latin America and the Caribbean (FILAC), and the Youth Indigenous Network of Latin America on priority issues.
ľ��ӰԺ��s Latin America and Caribbean team maintains ongoing dialogue and strategic collaboration with FIAY and FILAC to enhance mutual understanding, improve the application of ESS7, and ensure meaningful inclusion of Indigenous Peoples in Bank policy discussions and investments across the region. Specific results include: technical assistance to governments and Country Management Units on Indigenous Peoples policies and issues; organizational strengthening for Indigenous organizations; and analytical work, including a flagship regional report, , launched in 2016.
At the national level, in?Panama, the World Bank is actively engaging with Indigenous Peoples through the National Council of Indigenous Peoples (CONDIPI). This collaboration is part of the World Bank��s in Panama, which strengthens institutional and governance capacities among both the Government of Panama and Indigenous authorities. Key initiatives include organizing assemblies and meetings to facilitate direct dialogue, providing logistical support, and enhancing the quality and cultural relevance of public services in education, health, and water and sanitation within Indigenous territories. These efforts are designed to ensure that Indigenous Peoples are actively involved in the decision-making processes that affect their development and well-being.
In 2024, the World Bank and key organizations working with Indigenous Peoples in the Peruvian Amazon launched the Amazonian Indigenous Peoples Dialogue Roundtable as a formal, ongoing platform for collaboration. The roundtable aims to align priorities and co-design solutions on bioeconomy, territorial security, resource management, and other shared goals. Since its launch, Indigenous Peoples have gained stronger connections with the World Bank, enhancing their meaningful participation in consultations, events, and initiatives at both national and international levels.
In?Kenya, the World Bank is supporting the National Gender and Equality Commission (NGEC) to develop an Inclusive Development Framework for Marginalized Communities. This engagement aims to establish an institutional and policy framework for Indigenous Peoples and other marginalized communities in Kenya.

Investing in Indigenous Peoples�� Priorities

In?Kenya, the is supporting partnerships between governments and communities to assess climate risks and identify solutions that are tailored to local needs and priorities. Indigenous Peoples represent a significant proportion of beneficiaries.
In?Panama, in 2018, the Bank approved the first loan?in more than 20 years for $80 million to support Indigenous Peoples�� development vision through . Jointly developed by Indigenous Peoples, the Government of Panama, and the World Bank, this project aims to strengthen governance systems and place Indigenous Peoples at the center of their own development, all while supporting improvements in access, quality. It also supports efforts to improve the cultural pertinence of basic service delivery, in accordance with the Indigenous Peoples�� vision and development priorities.?
In the Philippines, the is the first World Bank-financed project in the country focused exclusively on improving agricultural development in Indigenous Peoples�� ancestral domains.

Direct Financing Mechanisms for Indigenous Peoples

In 2020, the World Bank established a multi-donor trust fund, Enhancing Access to Benefits while Lowering Emissions (EnABLE), to strengthen social inclusion and gender equality in World Bank results-based finance for emissions reductions programs. EnABLE has started preparing grants for Indonesia, Lao PDR, Vietnam, Nepal, Costa Rica, and Ghana with other countries to follow.
From 2009 to 2022, the financed $9.9 million in regional grants to Indigenous Peoples and local community organizations in Asia, Africa, and Latin America and the Caribbean. The grants supported Indigenous Peoples�� capacity building and participation in REDD+ through 110 projects in 35 countries.
Lunched in 2010, the (DGM) provides $80 million for 12 country-level projects that empower Indigenous Peoples and local communities to manage forests, strengthen livelihoods, and secure land tenure. In each country, a National Steering Committee is established by community-appointed representatives of Indigenous Peoples and local organizations who govern the DGM, including project design and selection of the implementing agency. A new phase of the DGM was recently approved by the CIF��s Nature, People, and Climate Program and will support DGMs, in conjunction with national investment programs in 10 countries, including Brazil, Fiji, and Kenya.

Last Updated: Aug 13, 2025