This 2011 Article IV Consultation highlights that economic growth in Hungary is slowing and market perception of recent policy measures has been negative. The eurozone crisis is weighing on Hungary’s external demand. Fiscal and monetary policies are facing constraints, given financial market...

The 2011 Article IV Consultation highlights that low growth is expected for Montserrat in 2011 after sharp output contractions in 2009–10. Stress in the financial sector and slower-than-expected development of major capital investment projects continue to limit prospects for growth. Directors...

This Selected Issues paper on Azerbaijan highlights that rapid non-oil growth since the onset of the oil boom has contributed to substantial reduction in poverty and inequality. To keep growth inclusive, there is a need to accelerate economic diversification and make the nonhydrocarbon private...

Singapore’s economy is slowing against the backdrop of a deteriorating external environment and a softening of exports. The main near-term risks are a protracted slowdown in advanced economies and a sharp increase in global financial stress. Given Singapore’s openness, these shocks would hit...

This 2011 Article IV Consultation reports that Peru’s activity is expected to decelerate in 2011–12 to slightly below trend while inflation declines toward the target and the external current account deficit remains contained. Short-term risks are markedly to the downside given global...

The collapse of central economic planning in many countries and the breakup of the Soviet Union have put into disarray systems of government revenues and expenditures in those countries. This collection of 16 papers, edited by Vito Tanzi, analyzes the strengths and weaknesses of fiscal policies...

Portugal’s economic adjustment has continued, but the contraction in output has been milder than expected. The 2012 outlook for Europe has deteriorated substantially, with growth revised down by 11⁄4 percentage points relative to spring forecasts. Substantially higher capital requirements...

This consultation paper explains that several years of sound macroeconomic policies and political reforms have left Morocco well equipped to address the 2008 international crisis and to respond to pressing social demands. In this challenging environment, Morocco has performed well economically...

The Irish authorities are adopting consolidation measures to meet the original fiscal targets as well as implementing structural reforms in the labor market and sheltered sectors to enhance competitiveness. Strengthened euro area support for Ireland’s growth and debt sustainability would...

Despite the rise in public debt, Japanese Government Bond (JGB) yields have remained low and stable, supported by steady inflows from the household and corporate sectors, high domestic ownership of JGBs, and safe-haven flows from heightened sovereign risks in Europe. Over time, however, the...