This paper investigates the impact of macroeconomic shocks on infant mortality in India and investigates likely mechanisms. A recent OECD-dominated literature shows that mortality at most ages is pro-cyclical but similar analyses for poorer countries are scarce, and both income risk and...

This Selected Issues paper and Statistical Appendix surveys the main reasons for Papua New Guinea’s disappointing economic performance, highlighting the key impediments to growth in each of the main sectors of the economy. The paper outlines the structural reforms that could help reduce...

This paper presents the Joint Staff Assessment of the Poverty Reduction Strategy Paper (PRSP) for Benin. The IMF staff has determined that Benin’s PRSP contains a credible poverty reduction strategy. The main strengths of the PRSP are the comprehensiveness of the strategic framework and...

This 2002 Article IV Consultation highlights that after growing by an average 3 percent a year in 1998–99, output for St. Lucia stagnated in 2000, and fell by an estimated 5¼ percent in 2001. This reflected a severe drought in 2001, as well as lower tourism activity owing to the global...

This paper examines Cambodia’s Poverty Reduction Strategy Paper Progress. The Cambodian economy grew by 5.2 percent in 2003 compared with 5.5 percent in 2002, led by continued growth in garments exports, a rebound in overall investments and an upward surge in agricultural production. The...

This paper examines Paraguay’s 2004 Article IV Consultation and Second Review Under the Stand-By Arrangement and Requests for Waiver and Modifications of Performance Criteria. Paraguay’s economy has stabilized in 2004, but growth remains modest. A late season drought depressed output of soy,...

The Poverty Reduction Strategy Paper, whose implementation has now reached the second year, has been the key instrument in Mauritania's economic, social, and institutional development policy. The pursuit of policies to accelerate growth, maintain macroeconomic stability, and enhance the...

This paper examines Zambia’s Second Review Under the Three-Year Arrangement Under the Poverty Reduction and Growth Facility (PRGF) and a Request for Waiver and Modification of Performance Criteria (PC). Performance under the PRGF-supported program has been good, although there were delays...

This 2003 Article IV Consultation highlights that the economic expansion that began in Greece in the mid-1990s has continued unabated, with some employment gains in 2002 for the first time in four years. GDP increased by 4 percent in 2002, well above the European Union (EU) average, but external...