This brief reviews the evolution of the US and the European labour markets since the beginning of the financial crisis. In the US, the unemployment rate and the share of long-term unemployment grew very fast, during the crisis, thereby reaching levels close to those in the EU. Does that mean...

This paper employs stochastic simulations of a small structural rational expectations model to investigate the consequences of the zero bound on nominal interest rates. We find that if the economy is subject to stochastic shocks similar in magnitude to those experienced in the U.S. over the...

This report presents comprehensive analysis and policy-relevant findings on the quality of life in three EU candidate countries: Croatia, the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia and Turkey (the CC3). Findings are based on Eurofound’s second European Quality of Life Survey (EQLS 2007)....

In diesem politischen Kurzbericht werden die Feststellungen zu einem bestimmten Thema der Europäischen Erhebung zur Lebensqualität (EQLS) beleuchtet, das aus politischer Sicht von besonderem Interesse ist. Es werden die Ergebnisse der Analyse dieser Daten und die Erkenntnisse aus anderen...

It is well known that both income and wealth are important determinants of house-holds’ economic well-being. Inequality in economic well-being of households as measured by income or earnings is very well documented, and differences in income between women and men have received wide attention...

Results from the European Quality of Life Survey (EQLS) show comparisons over time of different dimensions of people’s quality of life, including their standard of living. A combined review of indicators from the EQLS and those obtained from the Eurobarometer (for 2009 and 2010) highlights the...

According to the latest research findings, Ireland has much in common with the wealthier countries of the EU. Survey data from Eurofound give a detailed snapshot of how Irish people live, what their working conditions are like and whether they view their experiences positively or negatively. The...

This Country Focus discusses the relation between public investment and economic growth in Poland. Theoretical and empirical work has shown that improvements in the quantity and quality of public infrastructure have a positive impact on growth in the medium and, possibly, in the long run. The...

Following several years of low growth Germany is presently enjoying a relatively strong recovery. With unemployment falling at record speed and fiscal consolidation progressing, the upswing is set to continue in spite of uncertainties surrounding the VAT increase of January 2007. This Country...

The Czech financial sector has changed dramatically since transition. In fifteen years, it has developed from a state-owned mono-bank into a privatised bank-based financial system with developing capital and private equity markets. This country focus analyses the development of the financial...