KEY ISSUES Context. The economy is recovering steadily helped by supportive macroeconomic policies and improved market sentiment. There has been a welcome decline in vulnerabilities but debt levels remain elevated, leaving the economy prone to shocks, and medium-term growth prospects appear...

This Selected Issues paper assesses recent trends in Hungary’s potential growth and medium-term growth prospects. It analyzes to what extent the recent moderation of GDP growth reflects structural factors. The paper lays out some stylized facts about the Hungarian economy that could...

This paper presents 2013 Article IV Consultation and Third Post Program Monitoring discussions on Hungry. While the output gap remains sizable, inflation expectations are not well anchored, and after seven consecutive policy rate cuts a pause seems prudent. Further monetary policy easing can be...

This 2014 Article IV Consultation highlights that Hungary’s economy has emerged from the 2012 recession and posted 1.1 percent growth in 2013, mainly driven by government investment and consumption, and also net exports. Private demand—although strengthening on the back of...

This paper looks at the empirical record whether big infrastructure and public capital drives have succeeded in accelerating economic growth in low-income countries. It looks at big long-lasting drives in public capital spending, as these were arguably clear and exogenous policy decisions. On...