The World Development Report 2022 is a practical guide to help low-and-middle-income countries strengthen financial markets for a more equitable recovery from the COVID-19 economic crisis. The report examines the central role of finance in the economic recovery from COVID-19. Based on an in-depth look at the consequences of the crisis most likely to affect low- and middle-income economies, it advocates a set of policies and measures to mitigate the interconnected economic risks stemming from the pandemic-risks that may become more acute as stimulus measures are withdrawn at both the domestic and global levels.