This paper discusses Niger’s Second and Third Reviews Under the Extended Credit Facility (ECF) Arrangement and Requests for Waivers of Nonobservance of Performance Criteria and for Extension of the Program Period and Arrangement. Fiscal performance was broadly in line with program...

KEY ISSUES Background: Activity is slowly recovering after a cumulative decline of about 5 percent during 2008–10. Expansionary fiscal policies—largely to counteract the impact of the global slowdown and the two successive natural disasters—led to a deterioration in fiscal...

This Selected Issues paper assesses the youth unemployment problem in advanced European economies, especially the euro area. Youth unemployment rates increased sharply in the euro area after the crisis. Much of these increases can be explained by output dynamics and the greater sensitivity of...

This paper focuses on Cyprus’ Fourth Review Under the Extended Arrangement Under the Extended Fund Facility (EFF) and Request for Modification of Performance Criteria. The program remains on track. Fiscal targets for the first quarter were met with considerable margins, domestic payment...

KEY ISSUES Context: Kenya has embarked on major reforms in line with the 2010 constitution. The new government has started the process of devolution at a fast pace, introducing a reporting framework that allows for monitoring progress and challenges. Macroeconomic stability in a market-friendly...

A 36 month, SDR 4,393 million (425 percent of quota) Extended Arrangement under the EFF was approved by the Executive Board on September 4, 2013 and the third review was completed on June 27, 2014, with a total of SDR 1,440 million disbursed. Fifth and sixth tranches totaling of SDR 720 million...

This paper discusses Tunisia’s First and Second Reviews Under the Stand-by Arrangement and Request for Waivers of Applicability and Nonobservance of Performance Criteria. Program performance has been mixed. A weak budget composition, lower budget commitments, and deferred cash payments to...

The government of President Hernandez inherited a difficult macroeconomic situation upon taking office in January 2014. Economic growth decelerated significantly in 2013, driven mainly by lower private demand from policy uncertainty and by weaker trade-partner growth. The fiscal accounts...

This paper discusses Sierra Leone’s First Review Under the Extended Credit Facility (ECF) Arrangement, Request for Modification of Performance Criteria (PC), and Financing Assurances Review. Program performance has been strong. All PCs were met with comfortable margins, and all indicative...

KEY ISSUES Context. Saudi Arabia’s economy has grown very strongly in recent years, benefitting from high oil prices and output, strong private sector activity, and government spending. It has played a systemic and stabilizing role in the global oil market. The economy has not been...