Croatia Public Finance Review : Restructuring Spending for Stability and Growth
The Croatia poverty rate, as measured by the international line of moderate poverty at dollar 5 in public-private partnership (PPP) terms, is estimated at 2.8 percent for 2012. The share of the population at risk of poverty, based on a higher natio...
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Format: | Economic & Sector Work |
Language: | English en_US |
Published: |
2015
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Online Access: | http://documents.worldbank.org/curated/en/2014/10/23014557/croatia-public-finance-review-restructuring-spending-stability-growth http://hdl.handle.net/10986/21282 |
Summary: | The Croatia poverty rate, as measured
by the international line of moderate poverty at dollar 5 in
public-private partnership (PPP) terms, is estimated at 2.8
percent for 2012. The share of the population at risk of
poverty, based on a higher national and relative poverty
line, also declined substantially prior to the 2008 global
financial crisis, although has subsequently increased
markedly. The global financial crisis, with the loss of
credit, has exposed Croatia's macroeconomic
vulnerabilities. This report shows that without addressing
macroeconomic weaknesses, through sustained fiscal
adjustment and institutional reforms, Croatia will not be
able to reignite higher growth and benefit fully from
European Union (EU) membership, and the quest for future
prosperity may prove elusive. Similarly, without
accelerating structural reforms, especially in the area of
labor market, investment climate, and public sector
efficiency, Croatia will face further stifled
competitiveness and any prospects for recovery of growth and
jobs. Focusing on the fiscal and public sector related
deficiencies, this report systematically analyzes three
interrelated issues to assist the Croatian government in
informing public policy, strengthening macroeconomic
stability, and laying the foundation for a robust recovery:
first, it analyzes Croatia's major fiscal weaknesses,
risks, and alternative fiscal scenarios, and on that basis,
calculates the required fiscal adjustment needed over the
medium term. Second, it analyzes the institutional
weaknesses and requirements for the efficient use of EU
funds in the coming years. Third, the report analyzes the
structure of Croatia's public finances and provides a
blueprint of the fiscal adjustment of around 5 percentage
points of gross domestic product (GDP) over the medium term. |
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