Although Middle Income Countries are generally creditworthy and have access to financial markets, they contain entrenched pockets of poverty - often in particular regions or among specific ethnic groups. Many of these countries also face constraints in mobilizing the funds needed to invest in infrastructure or in the reform of policies and institutions essential to improving the investment climate.

Middle-income countries are increasingly important in terms of providing global public goods such as clean energy, trade integration, environmental protection, international financial stability, and the fight against communicable diseases.

In 2007, middle income countries were defined as countries where annual per capita income was between $906 and $11,115. But slightly poorer countries - such as India or Pakistan - countries that are able to borrow on commercial terms from the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development, sometimes face similar challenges. The World Bank Group is working to meet each country's specific needs with tailored assistance through competitive financial products and knowledge and learning services.