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...

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...

KEY ISSUES Context. After several years of near-stagnation, France’s economy is recovering, supported by an accommodative external environment, in particular lower oil prices, a depreciated euro, and low interest rates. However, structural rigidities continue to weigh on France’s medium-term...

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...

KEY ISSUES Context: Growth is benefiting from lower energy prices and euro depreciation, and the labor market is strong. The external position remains substantially stronger than implied by medium-term fundamentals as the current account surplus reached another historical high. The fiscal...

At the last review in May 2014, Greece’s public debt was assessed to be getting back on a path toward sustainability, though it remained highly vulnerable to shocks. By late summer 2014, with interest rates having declined further, it appeared that no further debt relief would have been needed...

The Norwegian economy grew steadily in 2014 despite the sharp fall in oil prices. Nevertheless, the near term outlook has weakened, and the medium and longer term present challenges related to shifting away from a growth model dependent on oil- and gas-related demand