Can Land Rights Deliver Peace & Prosperity?

In much of the world, rural land ownership is undocumented, and tensions rise as populations grow and valuable resources are recognized and targeted for development. In many countries, conflict is born from disputes over land rights and economic progress is dependent on documentation. Working to document, establish and protect property rights with organizations and governments from Liberia and Bolivia to China, we are partners in building a foundation for peace and prosperity.

Data comes from:

GRM (Government Revenue Management), a Thomson Reuters product that enables revenue lifecycle management for governments around the world
OpenTitle, a Thomson Reuters solution to document, map, and record land and resource rights for communities and individuals
World Bank — Doing Business Database

Expert Insights

A Project Director’s View

Nigel Edmead

Project Director,
Thomson Reuters Tax & Accounting

“Formal property ownership is something taken for granted by many; however, approximately 70% of land in emerging economies lacks title or deed. Formalizing citizens’ property rights protects landowners from having their land arbitrarily taken; provides a measure of security in the event of disputes; and enables them to pass property on to their children, sell it or use it as collateral, creating economic opportunities, stability and a better quality of life. Digital recording systems such as OpenTitle and GRM Registry are important tools in establishing, maintaining and creating more accurate records of land ownership in these countries, and improve the sharing of information and transparency with the public and within government.”

A Humanitarian Journalist’s Perspective

Astrid Zweynert

Deputy AlertNet Editor

“More than a billion people are thought to lack legal rights over the land they use to survive. As a result, poverty persists over generations, contributing to malnutrition and hunger. That’s why land rights are at the heart of global development. Around the world, from China’s rice paddies to Rwanda’s cassava fields, the world’s poorest people are climbing out of poverty by gaining legal control of their land, a fascinating story with big impact.”

Change Into Opportunity