The current slowdown in the Norwegian economy has followed an exceptionally prolonged phase of expansion. The current slowdown in economic growth is expected to continue. Over the longer term, the public finances face challenges as oil revenues begin to run out and pension liabilities escalate....

The Dominican government’s main policy objective is to create the basis for the sustained growth of output and employment through economic diversification and financial stability. The structure of the economy has continued to shift away from banana production, with services gaining importance...

Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (SAR) underwent a painful period of recession and adjustment during the Asian crisis. The adjustment in prices under the linked exchange rate system is well under way. Fiscal policy should continue to provide support for the recovery. Unemployment has...

The great moderation lulled macroeconomists and policymakers alike in the belief that we knew how to conduct macroeconomic policy. The crisis clearly forces us to question that assessment. In this paper, we review the main elements of the pre-crisis consensus, we identify where we were wrong and...

In recent years, the IMF has released a growing number of reports and other documents covering economic and financial developments and trends in member countries. Each report, prepared by a staff team after discussions with government officials, is published at the option of the member country

Pakistan showed good macroeconomic performance over the past years. Executive Directors welcomed the program, which aimed at strengthening the balance-of-payments position, rebuilding official reserves, and reducing public sector indebtedness. They emphasized the need for revenue mobilization,...

The Japanese economy is vulnerable to external and domestic shocks. The new government has made a commitment to turn the fiscal situation around. The new policy framework provides the Bank of Japan with the scope to ease the policy stance. A deteriorating macroeconomic environment has exposed...

Finland's performance has been impressive. In light of rapid population aging, a significant and durable increase in the employment rate is vital. To leave room for needed tax cuts on labor while maintaining sufficiently large fiscal surpluses is crucial. With both growth and inflation set to...

Morocco has been able to establish macroeconomic stability and industrial country levels of inflation, despite adverse weather conditions and terms-of-trade developments. Executive Directors welcomed these developments, and stressed the need to reduce unemployment and poverty. They appreciated...

The German economy has been experiencing as many setbacks as achievements. Continued wage moderation will be essential to aid recovery. Macroeconomic policies are limited by euro area constraints and the sizable public debt burden. Expenditure restraint is the cornerstone of the fiscal...