Portugal's program implementation is on track despite difficult economic conditions and significant legal challenges. The markedly weaker economic outlook provides a strong case for recalibrating the program’s fiscal targets. This strong adjustment effort needs to be consolidated by...

This Selected Issues paper assesses the youth unemployment problem in advanced European economies, especially the euro area. Youth unemployment rates increased sharply in the euro area after the crisis. Much of these increases can be explained by output dynamics and the greater sensitivity of...

EXECUTIVE SUMMARYEuroclear Bank is a securities settlement system that contributes to the safety and efficiency of global markets for government bonds and other international securities but also concentrates systemic risk. It is one of the largest securities settlement systems worldwide with a...

This Selected Issues paper highlights quantitative tightening (QT) by the European Central Bank (ECB). It uses evidence from the literature on the impact of central bank bond purchases and sales on bond yields, and the monetary policy stance, to outline a roadmap for reducing the Euro system's...

The 2023 Article IV Consultation discusses that the euro area economy has shown remarkable resilience in the aftermath of Russia's invasion of Ukraine and the largest terms of trade shock in several decades, thanks to a swift policy response and a strong rebound in contact-intensive services....

This paper on Republic of Croatia focuses on representative rate for the Euro. The Council of the European Union decided on July 12, 2022 that the Republic of Croatia had fulfilled the necessary conditions for adoption of the euro with effect from January 1, 2023, and that the conversion rate...

The sharp global recession has been taking a toll on the St. Kitts and Nevis economy. The staff report examines the St. Kitts and Nevis 2009 Article IV Consultation and request for Emergency Natural Disaster Assistance. Economic activity has weakened markedly, particularly in tourism and foreign...

This paper describes Kenya’s third review under the three-year arrangement under the Extended Credit Facility (ECF) and request for modification of performance criteria. The Executive Board approved a three-year ECF arrangement for Kenya on January 31, 2011, which has been augmented on...

Dominica has faced two major challenges during the past two decades: weak competitiveness and low potential growth. In addition to these economic challenges, the country has been facing frequent natural disasters. Growth is expected to pick up gradually. The financial system is highly liquid but...