EEAG’s 2007 Report provides a comprehensive forecast for the European economy for the coming year, with a special section on Eastern European countries. In addition, it addresses several important policy issues, including an in-depth examination of whether the features of the Scandinavian...

Although there is a large literature on employment effects of earned income tax credits (EITCs) and unemployment benefits, less is known about wage effects. In our model the impact is via the net (after-tax) replacement rate. Using a panel of individuals from Sweden, we find a positive...

Huge global imbalances have emerged as a result of the massive current account deficits of the US. The US deficit is largely matched by surpluses in Asia, oil-exporting countries and a few European countries. Correction of global imbalances will require substantial depreciation of the US dollar,...

This chapter analyses macroeconomic adjustment within the euro area. The focus is on the adjustment problems in Ireland (which has had a booming economy) and Italy (which has instead been exposed to strong contractionary shocks). The analysis stresses how adjustment processes may be much more...

This chapter analyses corporate taxation within the EU and asks whether the new EU states expose the old ones to unfair tax competition. Various policy approaches are discussed. The chapter recommends an increase in VAT and a reduction in labour income taxes as a way of “simulating” an...

This chapter presents evidence on the brain drain from European countries towards the US, identifying possible causes and costs for the economy, and looks at factors and policies that could reduce the net outflows of skilled people from Europe.