This technical note analyzes the competition in the banking sector in Denmark. It reveals that Denmark has a fairly competitive and efficient banking sector. Measured by various indicators, efficiency of banking intermediation has been improving in recent years. The banking sector has become...

This Selected Issues paper focuses on the costing and financing of social development goals (SDG) in Comoros. Comoros is committed to achieve SDGs, but progress has been limited. This paper uses two models-a costing model and a financing model-to illustrate the large costs of reaching some of...

This Selected Issues paper assesses the Central Bank of Armenia's (CBA) monetary policy framework. It discusses the CBA's track record with inflation targeting; describes the risk-based approach to price stability, offering insights on its potential benefits, while cautioning of likely pitfalls...

This Selected Issues paper discusses the causes and implications of elevated inflation in Cyprus and describes recent inflation trends. The paper also analyses drivers of inflation in with an augmented Phillips Curve and investigates how wages adjust to inflation. Estimating a pass-through from...

This Selected Issues paper on Burundi discusses economic growth, fragility, and non-price competitiveness. In the aftermath of the 2015 crisis that has further fragilized the Burundian economy, the authorities have developed and adopted in 2018 a 10-year National development plan. The origins of...

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 5½ percent of GDP in 2006. The...

This Selected Issues paper on Serbia’s Article IV Consultation reviews the precrisis growth paradigm and its legacy vulnerabilities. The underlying growth model proved vulnerable to shocks, being associated with a high share of nontradable, low domestic savings, and a fragile external...

The staff report for the 2008 Article IV Consultation of the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia discusses economic developments and policies. The new government’s economic program aims to raise growth further, but does not address these vulnerabilities. Plans to increase the central...

This 2008 Article IV Consultation highlights that Malta has experienced a three-year-long expansion reflecting strong foreign direct investment, export diversification, and value-added upgrading. Financial soundness indicators held up in 2007 despite unfavorable international developments. The...