This paper presents key findings of the Ex Post Assessment of Longer-Term Program Engagement for Bolivia. Bolivia is a country that is perceived as having one of the best structural reform records in Latin America but experienced sluggish per capita growth, and made virtually no progress in...

With Japan’s public debt reaching historical levels, the need for fiscal consolidation and structural reforms have increased. As fiscal consolidation will require a sustained and large adjustment in the fiscal balance, its growth effect is a concern particularly for the short run. This...

After a brief introduction dealing with critical opinions of some economists on the European austerity policy, the authors point out that austerity as a means of achieving fiscal consolidation and financial stability is applied when the fiscal domain is weak. After analyzing the effects of the...

We derive the quantitative implications of reducing sustained budget deficits (labeled fiscal stabilizations) in the context of a general equilibrium model of innovation-led growth. In the model, innovation comes from entrant firms creating new products and incumbent firms improving own existing...

This study is carried out against a backdrop of deep divisions in Greece and in Europe over how to handle the challenges now confronting Greece. Greece’s deeper medium-term policy needs and identifying ways to replace the expected market financing are discussed. Structural reforms tackled...

Armenia showed strong economic performance owing to its prudent macroeconomic policies and structural reforms, under the Poverty Reduction Growth Facility (PRGF) Arrangement. Executive Directors welcomed this development, and stressed the need to strengthen the tax system, structural reform...

Uganda showed strong macroeconomic stability, low inflation, and poverty reduction under the Poverty Reduction and Growth Facility (PRGF) Arrangement. Executive Directors commended the monetary and exchange rate policies, and stressed the need to strengthen fiscal sustainability and maintain a...