All Progress Watch
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Progress Watch: Poland takes top honors for 'most improved' in cutting red tape
It's getting easier to do business in many countries, according to a World Bank report, with Eastern Europe and Central Asia making significant strides this year.
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Progress Watch: Neither heat nor gloom ... Afghan post office delivers
As the Afghan government struggles to develop, the post office has quietly managed to become one of the nation's most efficient institutions - and with extremely limited international assistance.
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Progress Watch: Got broadband? Access now extends to 94 percent of Americans.
Every year, Internet access via broadband becomes available to millions more Americans, up from 92 percent last year to 94 percent, a recent report shows. Rural and tribal areas are the outliers.
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Progress Watch: Kids Count report: America's children are advancing despite the economy
The widely-watched Kids Count annual survey on the state of America's children shows gains in health and education despite the poor economy. But advocates say raised poverty rates merit more attention from lawmakers.
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Progress Watch: US violent crime rate down for fifth straight year
Although crime historically spikes during hard economic times, the US is currently bucking that trend. Both the national violent crime rate and murder rate were down in 2011, reports the FBI.
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Progress Watch: As Europe peers into economic chasm, Africa's economy is rising
Reports by the African Development Bank, World Bank, and McKinsey show how Africa continues to offer a bright spot in the global economy.
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Progress Watch: In Saudi Arabia, a quiet tide of reform
Declining the revolutionary model that Egypt established in overthrowing Mubarak, Saudi reformers are working for a shift in mind-sets as well as policies – and making headway.
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Progress Watch: Saudi girls find freedom in cleats
A high-energy evening soccer game between two girls' teams is part of a growing female sports movement in conservative Saudi Arabia.
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Progress Watch: Why teen driving deaths have tumbled to historic lows
Traffic fatalities are hitting record lows for all drivers, but the drop among teen drivers is especially important, given that traffic accidents are the leading cause of death for teens.
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Progress Watch: US air pollution hits 10-year low, report finds
A report by the American Lung Association finds that air pollution has fallen to its lowest levels since the group began collecting data in 2000. The ALA credits the Clean Air Act.
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Progress Watch: Fatal accident rate for US children and teens plunges since 2000
Nationwide, the rate of unintentional deaths for children and teenagers fell 30 percent between 2000 and 2009, a recent report finds. Biggest reason: fewer fatalities per capita due to auto accidents.
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Progress Watch: Behind the big drop in euthanasia for America's dogs and cats
Fido and Fluffy are far more likely to survive a stint at the animal shelter today than 40 years ago. Population control and better practices by shelters and pet owners have improved the lot of dogs and cats.
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Progress Watch: How to curb chronic homelessness? First, a home!
Permanent supportive housing, a movement to supply homeless people with housing first and deal with their other issues second, has made big strides in reducing homelessness this decade.
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Progress Watch: US crime rate at lowest point in decades. Why America is safer now.
The crime rate for serious crimes, including murder, rape, and assault, has dropped significantly since the early 1990s in part because of changes in technology and policing, experts say.
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Cover Story: The (surprisingly upbeat) state of the world
A different perspective on the state of the world: four major areas where mankind's long-term progress is striking.
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Progress Watch: Why the US teen birthrate hit a record low in 2010
Last year, the teen birthrate dropped to the lowest level ever reported in the US. Increased use of birth control is one reason, and many say that parent-child dialogue is key.
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Progress Watch: US sees renaissance in energy efficiency, led by Congress and big business
For decades, the US has been transforming into a more energy efficient society. But fresh impetus has come in the wake of a 2007 law embracing tougher appliance and auto standards.
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Progress Watch: Hurt by war in Iraq, a Baghdad museum reemerges
A new exhibit opened this month at the Iraqi Museum, providing one more sign that the worst horrors of the war in Iraq are receding and the country is settling into a new normal.
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Progress Watch: Kenya finds cleaner government is just a keystroke away
Kenya is promoting cleaner government by computerizing many of the tasks that used to be handled by bureaucrats – who might seek bribes to expedite requests.
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Progress Watch: Tunisia's democracy blooms as model for Arab Spring
Smooth elections, a coalition between moderate Islamists and secularists, and an explosion of civic life are propelling Tunisia forward as a model for the Arab Spring.
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