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Fiscal Consolidation and the Implications of Social Spending for Long-Term Fiscal Sustainability

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  • Rossana Merola
  • Douglas Sutherland

Abstract

This paper sheds light on the scale of fiscal consolidation that will be needed toensure long-term sustainability and on the potential benefits of institutional reforms inmitigating budget pressures of social spending. Based on alternative scenarios, resultssuggest that, in several OECD countries, the fiscal challenges are exacerbated in the longterm by spending pressures related to health and pensions. This paper shows howinstitutional reforms may support long-term fiscal sustainability and, at the same time,reduce adverse short-term effects of fiscal consolidation on growth.

Suggested Citation

  • Rossana Merola & Douglas Sutherland, 2013. "Fiscal Consolidation and the Implications of Social Spending for Long-Term Fiscal Sustainability," Review of Economics and Institutions, Università di Perugia, vol. 4(3).
    • Handle: RePEc:pia:review:v:4:y:2013:i:3:n:2
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    fiscal consolidation; long-term public finance sustainability; public social expenditure; long-term projections; ageing populations;

    JEL classification:

    • E62 - Macroeconomics and Monetary Economics - - Macroeconomic Policy, Macroeconomic Aspects of Public Finance, and General Outlook - - - Fiscal Policy
    • H50 - Public Economics - - National Government Expenditures and Related Policies - - - General
    • H68 - Public Economics - - National Budget, Deficit, and Debt - - - Forecasts of Budgets, Deficits, and Debt
    • J11 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demographic Economics - - - Demographic Trends, Macroeconomic Effects, and Forecasts

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