Educational outcomes in Belgium are comparable to peers but achieved at a higher cost. The public wage bill for education is higher than in peers, reflecting smaller student-to-teacher ratios and less teaching time. Yet, Belgium experiences teacher shortages. Reforms should aim at increasing the...

During the COVID-19 pandemic, the Bulgarian authorities increased pensions substantially to support pensioners’ living standards and aggregate demand. These increases have become permanent and improved the adequacy of pensions. However, not matched by revenue measures, they have widened the...

Belgium faces a fiscal consolidation challenge at a time when the fiscal cost of aging-primarily related to pension and health outlays-is mounting. Pension spending will increase relatively fast unless a combination of measures related to pension generosity and retirement eligibility are put in...