Spain’s housing boom was supported by rapid economic expansion, strong employment growth, an immigration boom, and low real interest rates. With the abrupt drying up of funding since mid-2007, these factors have eroded quickly. Through 2010, employment and value added in construction are...

The global crisis has hit Barbados front and center. The broad economic weakness has hurt the labor market, while inflation remains stubbornly elevated. The major challenge ahead is to put public debt on a steady declining path to support both domestic and external stability. A decisive fiscal...

This paper estimates potential growth in the Philippines using different methodologies, and discusses growth prospects for the medium term. Several approaches can be used to estimate potential growth. It also describes a forecasting and monetary policy analysis system (FPAS) model. Using the...

This Selected Issues paper examines fiscal policy implications for labor market and economic diversification in Botswana. The IMF report analyzes that large public employment significantly affect labor market outcomes in middle-income countries, including Botswana. It is noted that reforms aimed...

The Selected Issues paper discusses measures taken by the Chilean government to record moderate economic growth in 2012. The easing of fiscal stance and tightening of expenditure have proved to prevent a decline in the economy. The authorities have estimated retaining a favorable economic...

This 2008 Article IV Consultation highlights that over the last decade, Albania’s macroeconomic performance has generally been strong and per capita GDP in U.S. dollar terms more than doubled. Strong fiscal policy, largely based on major improvements in tax administration, lowered public...

This Selected Issues paper on Papua New Guinea reports that although economic cycles have generally paralleled the many mineral sector booms and busts, the downward trend in growth rates may reflect other factors. Papua New Guinea’s economy is dominated by a large labor-intensive...

This study discusses the Philippine output gap from three perspectives and evaluates the utility of the approaches for policymaking. Incentives in the Philippines appear broadly comparable with those in neighboring countries. The reform would also improve short- and especially medium-term...