This Selected Issues paper analyzes economic development in Mongolia during 1997–99. Economic performance in 1997 was impressive. Aided by strong political support for rapid reform and a generally favorable external environment, financial policies were tightened, and significant reductions in...

This Selected Issues paper and Statistical Appendix describes New Zealand’s evolving approach to inflation targeting. It describes the experience of New Zealand with inflation targeting, and discusses the motives behind the change in its approach toward a more flexible framework. The paper...

This Selected Issues paper reviews the factors that may explain high and persistent unemployment in Canada, with particular emphasis on the role that a decline in the relative cost of capital may have had on trend unemployment. The analysis suggests that in Canada a declining trend in the cost...

This Selected Issues paper provides a quantitative assessment of the long-term prospects of the Luxembourg pension system and analyzes possible reform options. The results indicate a need to adopt—at an early stage and while the problems are still relatively tractable—measures to dampen the...

This Selected Issues paper on Sri Lanka provides background information on economic developments during 1995 and the first half of 1996 and on key policy issues in the current setting. The paper notes that the economic situation has deteriorated on a number of fronts—inflation has risen;...

Japan has responded swiftly to stabilize markets, and activity has begun to recover. The immediate priority is to repair damaged infrastructure and facilitate a swift recovery. Financial policies should protect against the risk of an economic slowdown and higher market volatility. Timely...

Domestic demand is expected to remain the engine of growth in France, with net exports playing a minor role in the near term. Risks to the outlook are tilted to the downside. Boosting potential growth requires a comprehensive strategy. The consolidation targets set out in France’s Stability...

The Iranian economy recovered on the strength of international oil prices, strong rebound in agricultural sector, and rapid credit expansion. Inflation was contained while fiscal and external positions improved. Key policy priorities are to maintain short-term macroeconomic stability, transition...

This Selected Issues paper reviews the main elements of the National Insurance Scheme (NIS) and the Family Allowance Scheme (FAS) in Norway and provides projections of future pension expenditures. All persons residing or working in Norway are insured under the NIS, and the system is financed on...

This Selected Issues paper and Statistical Annex on Paraguay analyzes the financial crisis of June 1997. The lingering effects of the 1995 financial crisis and the subsequent deterioration of performance of several Paraguayan domestic banks resulted in a new crisis in 1997. The paper highlights...