Sweden’s quality of life, public health, and educational attainment indicators are among the best in the world. Although it is impossible to pin down the optimal size of the welfare state precisely, the government has generally agreed to have become too big by the late 1980s. Globalization is...

Spain has achieved impressive growth in recent years—reflecting favorable competitiveness, and the impact on interest rates and confidence of its successful road to monetary union. Despite several years of rapid growth, there are no unambiguous signs of overheating. Underlying inflation has...

Spain’s economy is facing severe challenges. Financial market tensions increased sharply in the wake of the Greek crisis. Policy should focus on rebalancing of the economy and securing market confidence. Ambitious fiscal consolidation is under way, but achievement of the targets needs to be...

Spain’s 2007 Article IV Consultation underlies that immediate growth prospects are bright and the central scenario is for a smooth landing but with appreciable downside risks. The Spanish economy enjoyed another year of remarkable growth in 2006, further extending its prolonged expansion....

This paper discusses the main features of Spain's recent adjustment effort and assesses its impact on the overall economic situation. It provides a brief historical background on Spain's economic development from 1960 to the early 1980s. The chapter also discusses the authorities' stance on...

A decade of strong expansion in the Spanish economy led by a credit-fueled housing boom was hit by three major shocks. The policy response to Spain’s economic challenges has been strong and wide-ranging, helping to strengthen market confidence. A decisive implementation of the envisaged...

The Spanish economy suffered an unprecedented double-dip recession with the rising unemployment and public debt situation. Spain also suffered a reversal of private external financing flows in 2011 and 2012. To counter this situation, major policy actions have been taken in the banking sector....

This 2001 Article IV Consultation highlights that the economy of Spain grew by more than 4 percent annually during 1997–2000—reflecting strong consumption, competitive exports, wage moderation, and supply conditions enhanced by structural reforms. Annualized real GDP growth was about 2...