World Bank Young Professionals Program (WBG YPP) 2027

About the role

The World Bank Young Professionals Program (WBG YPP) is one of the most prestigious entry routes into international development. It is a five-year programme starting with two years of structured rotations across World Bank Practice Groups and country offices, followed by a regular World Bank operations career. Around 40 to 50 YPs selected per cycle from a global applicant pool of more than 10,000. The 2027 intake is expected to open around September 2026, but the World Bank has not yet confirmed the exact application window. Treat any date you see elsewhere as provisional until it appears on the official page.

Responsibilities

• Two years of rotational assignments across at least two World Bank Practice Groups (Finance, Education, Health, Energy, Agriculture, Infrastructure, Macroeconomics, Trade, etc.).
• Contribute to country dialogue, project preparation, supervision, and analytical work.
• Travel up to 30 percent of time for country missions and field visits.
• Co-author Bank reports and operational notes.
• Transition into a regular World Bank position at the end of the YP programme.

Requirements

• Master’s degree (or higher) in economics, finance, public policy, international development, education, energy, urban planning, agriculture, public health, or a closely related field.
• Citizen of a World Bank member country.
• Aged 32 or younger as of 1 January 2027.
• Minimum three years of relevant professional experience or equivalent through doctoral research.
• Fluent English. Working knowledge of French, Spanish, Arabic, Portuguese, Russian, or Chinese is a strong asset.
• Strong analytical, quantitative, and writing skills.

Nice to have

• PhD in a relevant field.
• Publication record in peer-reviewed development journals.
• Prior World Bank, IMF, regional development bank, or major-development-NGO experience.
• Experience working in or with developing countries.

How to apply

Open the WBG YPP portal at the apply link. In a typical cycle you complete an online application with a CV, motivation essay, writing samples, references, and supporting documents (transcripts, language certificates), followed by written assessments and panel interviews. The exact 2027-intake dates are not yet published, so use the official page as your only source for the current window and requirements.