How shifts in geoeconomic power are rewiring global trade
Trade growth stalled after the Global Financial Crisis, and world trade is now splitting along geopolitical lines. This poses a distinctive challenge for the EU,
Debt service and fiscal sustainability
Debt sustainability analysis typically focuses on debt stocks and the interest rate-growth rate differential, but these are not perfect predictors of fiscal stress. This column
The perceived inflation wedge: Why households experience inflation differently from official statistics
Households often report inflation perceptions and expectations that differ markedly from official measures. This column proposes a new measure of perceived inflation, which uses disaggregated
G7 leaders pledge to enhance efforts to address global debt vulnerabilities
G7 leaders eye debt issues faced by middle-income countries. G7 leaders on Tuesday pledged to step up efforts to address high debt burdens among developing
How flexible work arrangements reshape mothers’ careers
Work from home expanded dramatically after the pandemic. This column presents evidence from Italy that this transformation may have reduced one of the most persistent
Global economic outlook hangs in balance between geopolitical headwinds and AI boost, WEF Chief Economists’ Outlook warns
Chief economists already rank the current closure duration of the Strait of Hormuz as significantly more disruptive than last year’s tariff turmoil. The global economic
Mortgage borrower actions dampen the impact of higher rates on monthly payments
The surge in inflation following the COVID-19 pandemic prompted many central banks to raise interest rates sharply. This column combines data from a large German
Winners and losers from remote work: How firm capabilities impact productivity
Work from home is now a permanent feature of how firms organise production, yet its effects on productivity remain unclear. Using new data covering all
Post-pandemic trends in extreme poverty around the world
Years of shocks and imbalanced recoveries have significantly impacted longstanding global poverty trends. In just the last five years, the economic pressures induced by the crises of
The risk of tariffs as a tool to attract manufacturing investment
Recent tariff increases have sparked a debate over whether trade protectionism can effectively attract foreign investment. This column analyses how firms adjust their investment strategies
