Fiscal problems have long been considered a central feature of financial--that is, currency, debt, and banking--crises. This paper addresses four questions: What are the fiscal causes of crises? Which fiscal vulnerability indicators help to predict crises? Can fiscal variables explain the...

This Selected Issues paper examines the fiscal outlook and policy options for the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region. The paper provides indicative estimates of how revenue and expenditure might evolve in the next five years under two fiscal consolidation scenarios with a different mix of...

This Selected Issues paper analyzes the strengths and weaknesses of the fiscal framework of Sweden, and discusses some guidelines for their modification. It describes the Swedish experience under the new fiscal framework, and documents the increasing expenditure profile during the economic boom....

This Selected Issues paper analyzes the conduct of fiscal policy in Spain, made topical by the entry into effect of the Budgetary Stability Law in 2003. This law, along with the new permanent financing arrangements with the subnational levels of government, provides a new institutional and legal...

Slovakia is now one of the fastest-growing EU accession countries. Despite the upswing, the Slovak economy remains hampered by structural weaknesses and related macroeconomic imbalances. Over the medium term, IMF staff believes that Slovakia should aim for an external current account deficit...

This paper examines capital tax competition in the presence of an interstate transfer policy without federal commitment. Lack of commitment implies that tax policy is chosen prior to federal transfers. The paper’s main result is that ex-post federal policy internalizes horizontal fiscal...

Macroeconomic and financial vulnerabilities have intensified in recent years. Bolivia has adopted a program to stabilize the situation, and the program is broadly on track. Monetary policy is appropriately geared to support a gradual build-up of international reserves while ensuring needed...

This paper discusses the findings of fiscal transparency reports on standards and codes (ROSCs) for most EU accession candidate countries. Emphasis is given to the need to establish effective and accountable medium-term budget frameworks to establish policy credibility and anchor adjustment...

This paper seeks to draw lessons from the IMF’s experience in handling financial crises around the globe over the past ten years that are relevant to the challenges faced by countries in Latin America, especially in the wake of the recent crisis in Argentina. Experience suggests that...

Since the conclusion of the last Article IV Consultation in October 2001, Georgia's macroeconomic performance has been encouraging. The 2003 Article IV Consultation and program discussions were held against the backdrop of protracted deviations from the IMF-supported program. Discussions with...