During the last quarter of 2008, state pension funds fell in value by approximately $350 billion. Depending on the state, the losses were equivalent to as little as 12% of the own revenue (taxes, fees, and charges) generated by the state government in the previous fiscal year, or as much as 68%....

This paper proposes a simple method to assess the sustainability of public finances in Romania, which uses the twin deficits concept. We conclude that the sustainability of the country has been seriously affected by the recent crisis, but to a larger extent by the inappropriate design of...

Public debt is one of the important economic variables that quantitatively describes a nation's economy. Because bankruptcy is a risk faced even by institutions as large as governments (e.g. Iceland), national debt should be strictly controlled with respect to national wealth. Also, the problem...

This Feature considers the debts of quasi-sovereign states in light of proposals to let them file for bankruptcy protection. States that have ceded some but not all sovereign prerogatives to a central government face distinct challenges as debtors. It is unhelpful to analyze these challenges...

The eurozone sovereign debt crisis, characterized by enormous debt burdens faced by its weakest economies, has also induced a parallel credit crunch and illiquidity concerns for European banks. Bank holdings of sovereign debt issued by peripheral eurozone countries have dropped in value and are...

This study, in Italian language, examines the quarterly evolution of Italy's sovereign debt, its stock of government bonds, official reserves, GDP and balance of trade, inflation and unemployment. Please see also: Mazziero, Maurizio, 2010: Un Altro Anno a Debito per l'Italia (2010: Another Year...

This paper analyses the dynamic effects of fiscal imbalances in a given EMU member state on the borrowing costs of other countries in the euro area. The estimation of a multivariate, multi-country time series model (specifically a Global VAR, or GVAR) using quarterly data for the EMU period...

The financial crisis and the ensuing Great Recession created unprecedented federal budget deficits in recent years. In fact, these events, combined with subsequent slow growth and two continuing unfunded wars, have resulted in a national debt that is out of control by all meaningful measures....

This study, in Italian language, examines the quarterly evolution of Italy's sovereign debt, its stock of government bonds, GDP and inflation. Please see also: 2010: Mazziero, Maurizio, 2010: Un Altro Anno a Debito per l'Italia (2010: Another Year of Debt for Italy) (April 10, 2011). Available...

European Union has taken economic and financial measures to cope with the debt crises erupted in 2009. These measures can be summarized as putting in place a bail-out mechanism and austerity measures, strengthening economic policy coordination, setting up 'Stability and Growth Pact III' and the...