Dividend tax reforms: Why design shapes revenue and measured inequality
Governments increasingly look to capital income for both revenue and redistribution. This column compares two dividend tax reforms in Israel – a permanent rate increase
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
Technology adoption and labour shortages: Evidence from Britain’s Industrial Revolution
As populations in rich countries age and fewer youngsters enter the labour force, employers and politicians bemoan labour ‘shortages’. This column turns to historical evidence
Don’t drain the swamp! Populism, bureaucracy, and economic performance
Populist leaders increasingly cast public sector experts, oversight bodies, and career civil servants as illegitimate ‘elites’ standing in the way of the popular will. But
Dollar dips ahead of US inflation data, supported by rate outlook
Reuters poll forecasts U.S. headline inflation at 3.8%. The dollar remained in sight of 13-month highs on Tuesday ahead of U.S. inflation data, which will
A sober look at the case for common European Union debt
More EU debt will not lower public borrowing costs or deepen markets without fiscal-union features, permanent issuance and credible fiscal backstops. Proposals for common European
How large current account imbalances unwind: Evidence from historical adjustment episodes
Global imbalances are back in the policy debate. This column examines 70 current account adjustment episodes across 51 economies from 1980 to 2024 to discover
How higher pensions shape work after retirement: Lessons from Germany’s Earned Income Pension Credit
Can governments raise pensions for low-income retirees without discouraging them from working? Drawing on Germany’s Earned Income Pension Credit, this column finds that higher pension
From Strategic Investment to Tangible Results: Notable examples from the Human Capital Trust Fund
Two-thirds of the income gap between developed and developing countries can be attributed to disparities in human capital. Yet, budgets for critical human capital investments are
Building on connectivity to transform financial inclusion in Arab countries
A new Global Findex Note, “Digital Connectivity and Financial Inclusion in Arab Countries”, reviews the region’s progress on financial inclusion, assesses financial vulnerabilities, and identifies
