The EU15 countriesu0092 real GDP per capita levels adjusted for purchasing power converged in 1960u00962001. Convergence occurred in two spells, in 1960u009673 and 1986u00962001, with an interim period of stagnation. In this paper, we analyse both s and b convergence and discuss the impact of EU...

The study suggests that the EU's eastward enlargement will be beneficial to the new members, while most EU countries will record minor welfare gains. Poland is expected to gain 3.4% of GDP, and Hungary almost 7%. The new members will experience production increases across almost all sectors,...

Assessing existing policies or developing new policy options requires indicators showing where a community stands, where it is going and how far it is from where it wants to be. Indicators are necessary in all steps of the policy cycle: to describe the current situation/problem; to analyse the...

In 2007, 5.6 million persons were employed in EU27 financial services. 65% of these worked in banks, 20% in the insurance industry and 15% for intermediaries. The sector represented 2.7% of total employment in Europe. Between 2000 and 2006, data from the Labour Force Survey shows a shift of...

This report focuses on how Dexia Bank Belgium has responded to the considerable challenges resulting from the financial and economic crisis, and how the transformation of its workforce has been managed under these circumstances. It specifically emphasises the role of the social partner...

Four years after the introduction of the euro, this paper provides an overview of the current structure and integration of the euro area financial systems and related policy initiatives. We first compare the euro area financial structure with that of the United States and Japan. Using new and...

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...