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JEL Cl This study constructs a new data set on unemployment rates in Latin America and the Caribbean and then explores the determinants of unemployment. We compare different countries, finding that unemployment is influenced by the size of the rural population and that the effects of government regulations are generally weak. We also examine large, persistent increases in unemployment over time, finding that they are caused by contractions in aggregate demand. These demand contractions result from either disinflationary monetary policy or the defense of an exchange - rate peg in the face of capital flight. Our evidence supports hysteresis theories in which short - run changes in unemployment influence the natural rate.

Even though the Russian authorities have maintained financial stability at the time of a major global shock, the financial system is still weak. The crisis has set back progress toward a strong, competitive banking system for the future. The recent unification of the supervision of nonbank financial institutions is an opportunity for strengthened oversight. A more structured corrective action regime and a unified administration regime for all banks, with broad powers for the administrator, would help strengthen the system further

Croatia's economic vulnerability is discussed in this study. Using the balance sheet approach (BSA), this paper analyzes Croatia's overall and sectoral vulnerabilities. Croatia's financial sector balance sheet is exposed to liquidity, contagion, and currency risks. With strong pre-crisis prudential policies and parent banks' willingness to keep or even increase exposures, the economy's capacity to tackle another major macroeconomic or financial shock is limited. Given the stable exchange rate policy, a consistent set of structural, fiscal, monetary, and prudential policies are needed for susta

The Belarus authorities are moving in the direction of a flexible exchange rate system supported by an inflation-targeting (IT) regime, which would have significant benefits for the economy. A full-fledged IT framework (FFIT) requires a number of essential building blocks, which could be viewed as components of sound macroeconomic management. There are three additional features that could interfere with the IT regime. Some of the building blocks are essentially prerequisites for a successful launch of the IT regime; others could be developed (or fine-tuned) during early stages of IT implementa

Since the 2003 Financial Stability Assessment Program (FSAP) update, Ghana's financial system has undergone rapid growth and structural transformation. The authorities have been implementing reforms to enhance the financial system's resilience to shocks and its contribution to growth. The vulnerabilities reflect the interplay of several factors, but state involvement is an important element. The other contributory factors include deficiencies in commercial banks' risk management, supervision, and the insolvency regime. Additional recommendations are detailed in the Report on the Standards and

The economic development of Hungary after the economic crisis is discussed. Hungary's economic program supported by Stand-By Arrangement has been successful in strengthening the economy and stabilizing market conditions. Given Hungary's high public debt and large financing needs, Executive Directors emphasized the need for full and timely implementation of consolidation measures. Directors also recognized the positive collaboration between the European Union and the IMF during the program period. Furthermore, the foreclosure moratorium continues to prevent banks from cleaning balance sheets

The objective of this paper is to analyze the growth performance of the ECCU countries since independence and the policy challenges they face to ensure sustained growth in the period ahead. Although tourism specialization may bring about higher growth, it could also increase volatility in growth by amplifying the impact of business cycles in source countries on the tourism sector. Low productivity growth is principally the reason for the slowdown in growth. High debt levels have been a major drag on growth

There are few areas of economic policy-making in which the returns to good decisions are so high-and the punishment of bad decisions so cruel-as in the management of natural resource wealth. Rich endowments of oil, gas and minerals have set some countries on courses of sustained and robust prosperity; but they have left others riddled with corruption and persistent poverty, with little of lasting value to show for squandered wealth. And amongst the most important of these decisions are those relating to the tax treatment of oil, gas and minerals. This book will be of interest to Economics pos

Advances in information and communication technologies (ICTs), combined with organizations seeking to reduce costs, have led to a dramatic growth in service sector offshoring and outsourcing, most notably to developing countries such as India. This is a co-publication with Palgrave MacMillan Publishing.