This Selected Issues paper assesses recent trends in Hungary's potential growth and medium-term growth prospects. It analyzes to what extent the recent moderation of GDP growth reflects structural factors. The paper lays out some stylized facts about the Hungarian economy that could explain the...

Using several recently available global datasets, this Staff Discussion Note examines macroeconomic effects of financial inclusion. It finds significant benefits to economic growth from financial inclusion, but the benefits diminish as financial inclusion and depth become large. Broadening...

The determinants of long-term growth in the GCC countries -- The macroeconomic impact of migration -- Government spending, subsidies, and economic efficiency -- Fiscal policy form macroeconomic stability -- Monetary policy with a fixed exchange rate regime -- Nonperforming loans and financial...

The economies of the Arab states of the Gulf have gone through considerable changes in the last decade, spurred by high oil prices and ambitious diversification plans. Large-scale immigration provided the labor force while capital inflows and financial development leveraged oil wealth to finance...

Outlook and risks. As Singapore prepares to celebrate its 50th anniversary in August, its economy continues to perform well. Despite the slow pace of the global recovery and a gradual decline in domestic credit growth and housing prices, projected economic growth of about 2.9 percent in 2015 is...

KEY ISSUES Abenomics has lifted Japan out of the doldrums and needs to be reinforced to accomplish the desired 'once in a lifetime' economic regime shift. Building on initial positive results, policies now need to embark on a sustained effort to meet the unprecedented challenges Japan is facing:...