For most citizens, buying a residential property (dwelling) is the most important transaction during their lifetime. Residential properties represent the most significant component of households’ expenses and, at the same time, their most valuable assets. The Residential Property Prices...

This paper discusses how financial innovation turned U.S. mortgages into an asset class with worldwide investor appeal. It suggests that U.S. financial markets have been skilful in developing tools that have helped households exploit favorable global financing conditions to boost home ownership...

This Selected Issues paper examines the factors determining housing prices in the United Kingdom. Based on econometric evidence, the paper assesses whether recent housing price increases can be explained by fundamentals or whether they represent a temporary overshooting of housing prices,...

This paper surveys the foreign exchange markets, money and secondary government security markets, and stock exchanges in 107 smaller economy countries. The underdevelopment of these markets impedes risk transfer, monetary policy, corporate financing, and the capacity to absorb capital inflows....

This Selected Issues paper and Statistical Appendix reviews the past conduct of monetary policy of Tonga. The paper considers the problems in the current system and discusses the policy options available to the authorities. It reviews Tonga’s exchange rate policy and explores its...

New Zealand has experienced a decade-long robust economic expansion, owing to its sound macroeconomic policies and structural reforms, but resource constraints have emerged. Executive Directors welcomed the policy settings, supported by the anticipated evolution of external and global...

In this study, economic developments of India are discussed. Growth is among the fastest-growing in the world, social indicators are improving, and medium-term economic prospects are favorable. The Reserve Bank of India’s (RBI) efforts are used to tighten monetary conditions. The measures...