This 2002 Article IV Consultation on Portugal highlights that after an extended strong economic expansion, the GDP growth stalled in 2002 and, at 0.5 percent, fell below the euro area average for the first time in almost a decade. The growth slowdown reflected a broad-based decline in domestic...

This 2002 Article IV Consultation highlights that Croatia experienced solid growth in the last two years, with growth rates of about 4 percent exceeding those of the euro area and of many other transition countries. The recovery, initially propelled by private consumption and exports, has more...

Pakistan’s economy continued to perform strongly owing to sound macroeconomic management and structural reform. Executive Directors advised that tight fiscal and monetary policies are required to reduce inflation and the external current account deficit while lessening pressures on real...

The authorities announced a strategy to restore fiscal and debt sustainability, in conjunction with a transition out of sugar production. Discussions centered on restoring fiscal and debt sustainability, enhancing competitiveness and growth, and containing risks. However, policies need to be...

Although economic performance has remained good, difficulties in building consensus for institutional reform have caused an ill-affordable hiatus in economic policymaking. Robust economic activity absorbed a growing labor force and allowed the unemployment rate to decline continuously....

This 2006 Article IV Consultation highlights that the economic upturn that started in mid-2005 in Belgium has remained on track. On the heels of a catch-up in private investment, the revival of private consumption and the cyclical expansion in neighboring countries have broadened the recovery to...

This 2007 Article IV Consultation highlights that Sudan’s economic growth continued to be strong in 2006. Overall real GDP increased by 12 percent, despite a lower growth in oil production than previously projected. Non-oil GDP increased by roughly 10 percent—buoyed by a continued recovery...

This 2007 Article IV Consultation highlights that macroeconomic conditions of Morocco remain strong. Average growth has reached 5.4 percent per year since 2001, 3.4 percentage points higher than in the 1990s, reflecting the ongoing diversification of the nonagricultural sector and its increased...

This 2007 Article IV Consultation highlights that the lengthy expansion brought the Australian economy to a position of near full employment. Inflation had eased in late 2006 and early 2007, but accelerated in the second quarter. The current account deficit was 51⁄2 percent of GDP in 2006. The...

This 2007 Article IV Consultation highlights that Côte d’Ivoire’s crisis has taken a heavy toll on growth and social conditions. Per capita income fell by one-sixth, poverty rose, and many social indicators worsened. These developments have also hurt regional trade and output. The external...