The containment of health care expenditure is one of the major challenges facing public policymakers in the developed countries. This paper provides evidence of significant differences in the cross-country level of efficiency of health care expenditure, meaning that potential cost savings for...

En este trabajo se ilustran los efectos de distintas medidas de consolidación fiscal sobre la actividad económica mediante simulaciones realizadas con un modelo de equilibrio general calibrado para la economía española. Los resultados muestran que, con carácter general, el proceso de...

In this paper we reflect on the role that fiscal policy could play in the resolution of the crisis in Eurozone countries crippled by both public and private debt, and beset by growth and competitiveness problems. As an illustration, we revisit the Spanish case, a paradigmatic example of the...

This paper describes the revenue-raising capacity and structure of the Spanish tax system, in comparison with the economies of the European Union. Spain stands out for the low weight of its tax revenues in GDP relative to the EU27 average. This lower weight of tax revenue is mainly a consequence...

This document analyses real-time revisions in output gap estimates published by the European Commission for 15 countries over the period 2002-2014. We find that output gap revisions (both in levels and changes) are mainly driven by GDP growth forecast errors. Also, output gap revisions have...

Spanish Abstract: En este documento se presenta una descripción de la capacidad recaudatoria y la estructura tributaria del sistema fiscal español en comparación con las economías de la Unión Europea. España destaca por presentar un peso de los ingresos tributarios sobre PIB relativamente...

The government debt-to-GDP ratios in the majority of euro area economies, including Spain, are at very high levels according to the available historical records. Economic research is conclusive in pointing out that bearing high levels of public debt ratios for an extended period of time can be...

English Abstract: In his testimony, the Governor’s analysis of the impartiality and autonomy of independent economic authorities contributes to the Committee’s review of the “measures needed to strengthen the impartiality and independence of independent authorities and regulatory...

English Abstract: The COVID-19 crisis has elicited an immediate and forceful economic policy response. With the height of the crisis behind us, the Governor has set out priority economic measures for the post-lockdown phase. He calls for the urgent launch of an ambitious, comprehensive,...