EXECUTIVE SUMMARY Economic developments have been encouraging. The recession in 2014 was milder than expected and GDP growth was positive in the first quarter of 2015 for the first time in almost four years. The fiscal outturns have exceeded program projections by a large margin. Liquidity and...

Greece’s public debt has become highly unsustainable. This is due to the easing of policies during the last year, with the recent deterioration in the domestic macroeconomic and financial environment because of the closure of the banking system adding significantly to the adverse dynamics. The...

This paper presents Second Post-Program Monitoring Discussions focusing on Moldova. Governance in the banking system remains poor and the condition of some large banks is fragile. The budget faces a tight financing situation, and�without corrective measures�the deficit is projected to widen...

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY Ireland’s economic recovery is expected to remain strong. Growth is increasingly driven by domestic demand as well as exports, and it is job rich, with employment rising 2.2 percent y/y in Q1, bringing the unemployment rate down to 9.8 percent in May. After surging by 4.8...

KEY ISSUES Iceland’s otherwise strong and stable economic position looks likely to be disrupted by significant wage hikes. Collective wage bargaining looks headed for economy-wide cumulative 3½-year nominal wage growth of 20–25 percent, along with fiscal measures costing ½ percent of GDP...

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY Luxembourg’s main challenge is to strengthen an economic model that has served it well. Growth was close to 3 percent in 2014, and is projected at 2½ percent in 2015, with continued strong job creation. The model emphasizes maintaining fiscal stability and openness,...

KEY ISSUES Context: Belarus’ economic model continues to make it highly vulnerable to economic shocks. This was illustrated once more by the turbulence in foreign exchange and debt markets late last year, to which the authorities initially responded with administrative measures before allowing...

KEY ISSUES Context: Following a six-month political stalemate, the largest two parties reached an agreement in December to form a grand coalition, which enjoys a comfortable majority in parliament. The remittances-fueled growth is set to continue in the near term, but deep challenges remain in...

KEY ISSUES Switzerland has once again had to contend with capital flow volatility. Following the exit from the exchange rate floor in mid-January 2015 and the subsequent appreciation of the franc, the Swiss economy faces exchange rate overvaluation, slower near-term growth, and deflation. Both...

The economy has recovered from the 2012–13 slowdown, supported by sound policies and improving external conditions. The outlook is for robust growth and subdued inflation but risks, although moderating, are tilted to the downside. Further structural reforms and stronger policy buffers will...