Executive Directors welcomed the report by the Independent Evaluation Office (IEO) on the IMF and the Crises in Greece, Ireland, and Portugal, and appreciated the accompanying statement by the Managing Director. They agreed that the report's findings provide valuable insights and lessons for...

This paper sets out Management's response to the Independent Evaluation Office's (IEO) report The IMF and the Crises in Greece, Ireland, and Portugal as part of the Management and staff follow-up to an IEO evaluation. The implementation plan proposes specific actions to address the...

This Selected Issues paper and Statistical Appendix reviews fiscal developments in Greece, comparing its revenue and expenditure patterns with a number of comparator country averages, and discusses prospects. The paper focuses on the evolution and tax-determinants of the most widely followed...

This Selected Issue paper provides an overview of the public pension system in Greece, and of prospective pension-related spending pressures. The paper reviews the structure of Greece’s pension system and compares some basic parameters of the Greek pension system with those of other European...

This 2001 Article IV Consultation highlights that strong economic growth continued in Greece in 2001, but the economy was not immune from the global slowdown. GDP increased by about 4 percent, led by robust domestic demand. Investment growth accelerated, following interest rate convergence with...

This 2005 Article IV Consultation highlights that economic growth in Greece has been strong for several years, underpinned by a large fall in interest rates owing to adoption of the euro and subsequent European Central Bank easing. In 2005, the authorities implemented substantial fiscal...

The recession is unfolding in line with expectations. Inflation is higher than expected from indirect tax hikes. The key challenges remain restoring fiscal sustainability, safeguarding financial sector stability, and boosting competitiveness—and hence growth and employment. Staff and...

Greece has made a strong start with the program, but challenges also remain evident. The economic response to the program has yet to play out fully. Inflation is too high. Fiscal developments are encouraging, but risks need to be addressed. A strong pension reform is essential to bolster fiscal...

This paper presents the staff report for Greece’s request for an Extended Arrangement under the Extended Fund Facility. The Greek economy fell into deep twin structural deficits after euro adoption. Easy access to financing at low interest rates fuelled rapid borrowing by the private and...

The Executive Board approved a three-year Stand-by Arrangement for Greece in the amount of SDR 26.4 billion. Purchases have been made at the time of approval and upon completion of each of the first four reviews. The authorities decided to promote a number of actions, including a further...