Suchergebnisse

The aim of this article is to explore main linkages among the participation rate, potential output and pension funding system. Based on the existing literature, there are several possibilities how to render the current set-up of the pension system sustainable. This sustainability is conventionally regarded from the perspective of provision of "satisfactory level" of retirement pensions as well as from the perspective of general budgetary impact. In this respect, demographic change is accounted for owing to the common perception that it has a lot to do with how the future pension system should and will look like. It has been found out that if appropriate economic policy measures -- targeting mainly labour market participation rate and long-term unemployment -- are adopted, no need for abrupt changes in the existing social security system framework is actually necessary. Also, the linkages between the participation rate and potential output seem to be relatively strong, so that the economy could be easily considered as significantly influenced by its labour market. The functioning of the latter thus seems to be pivotal for the resolution of some long-term economic capacity concerns, including its dynamics. Adapted from the source document.

The survey covers the first weeks of quarantine measures after the first diagnosed case of COVID-19 in Slovakia on March 6 2020. At the time of the fieldwork – on March 24 2020 – Slovakia introduced obligatory wearing of face mask outside of home. Before the fieldwork schools have been closed as well as shops and services (with the exception of groceries, chemists, medical supplies, drugstores, petrol stations as well as post offices, banks, insurance services and several other businesses). The survey monitors fears of the disease, the expected duration of the epidemic, agreement and compliance with the introduced quarantine measures and changes of behavior at times of the epidemic. Surveyed are also fears of loosing work, changes in the income situation and changes in leisure time activities and relations within households. Questions on changes in shopping behavior are also covered. This is the first survey from the "How are you, Slovakia?" survey series.