Macroeconometric policy simulation models allow for an analysis, and, above all, for a quantification of the effects different economic policies have on the various variables that represent the economy. Despite the seminal Lucas critique levelled against them, these models are still widely used,...

Der Beitrag verwendet das Modell des unbalancierten Wachstums von Baumol (1967), um zu zeigen, dass sich ökonomische Probleme reifer Volkswirtschaften - wie die Abschwächung des Wirtschaftswachstums, der Anstieg der Staatsquote und die Kostenexplosion im Gesundheitswesen - zwar erklären, aber...

Macroeconomic data are indispensable for modern governance, yet it is often unclear how reliable these data are. The production process of macroeconomic data inside the statistical offices is often not very transparent for the general public. Bystanders usually have no choice but to take for...

The spring forecast for Swiss health expenditure covers the years 2008 to 2010 (official data range to 2007). For the year 2008, the forecast assumes a higher-than-average growth in health expenditure. While a still solid growth is expected for the year 2009, a cooling down as a consequence of...