New labor market results: More transparency of labor market policy measures
Hans-Ulrich Brautzsch, Gabriele Hardt, Birgit Schultz
Wirtschaft im Wandel,
No. 10,
2002
Abstract
The article describes the modified labour-market statement as produced by The Halle Institute for Economic Research (IWH) on the example of East Germany. There are included different new measures of labour-market policy which allow to reflect the extent of underemployment (including job creation measures) more completely and transparentely as before.
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Financial policy dominated by consolidation
Kristina vanDeuverden
Wirtschaft im Wandel,
No. 10,
2002
Abstract
Submitting the Stability and Growth Pact European member states committed themselves to reduce their budget deficits. In spring this year the German fiscal position worsened more and more and it became obvious that the deficit target would – again – be missed. Despite the worsened starting point Germany affirmed to follow its original stability programme and to attain a budget “close to balance” by the year 2004. Thus, consolidation will have to be strengthened and the scope for fiscal policy narrows down.
If current fiscal policy is not sustainable, the necessity of consolidation is obvious. However, the mode of consolidation is controversial. The Stability and Growth Pact focuses on converging budget deficits close to balance. For this, short-term oriented consolidation dominates the more medium and long-term oriented aspects of fiscal policy. Generating economic conditions by fiscal policy is at least restricted, maybe temporarily impossible – and shortening the consolidation period increases its costs.
A forecast of the government’s financial development in the years 2002 to 2006 shows clearly that the restructuring of revenues and expenditure will show no progress. In particular, the lack of structural reforms will burden Germany’s fiscal situation in the medium-term oriented consolidation period. However: the political self-commitment this spring leaves no scope for alternatives, but to enforce the consolidation. Despite some efforts, the projection concludes that by the year 2004 the budget will show a deficit.
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Reconstructing the East is making headway - Progress report of economic research institutions on the economic development in East Germany - abridged version
Wirtschaft im Wandel,
No. 7,
2002
Abstract
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Was bringt die Wissenschaft für die Wirtschaft in einer Region?
Peter Franz, Martin T. W. Rosenfeld, Diana Roth
IWH Discussion Papers,
No. 163,
2002
Abstract
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Vierteljährliche Entstehungsrechnung des Bruttoinlandsprodukts für Ostdeutschland: Sektorale Bruttowertschöpfung
Hans-Ulrich Brautzsch, Udo Ludwig
IWH Discussion Papers,
No. 164,
2002
Abstract
Data regarding the development of macroeconomic production and employment are essential for the political decision process. Especially timely available information is a critical issue. Reliable short run data are not reported for East Germany yet. Because of data limitations for the past quarterly sectoral series of production and employment are derived from annual national accounts data using a set of indicators by branches. Indicators have been tested and cover working hours and sales, among others. For the period from 1992 to 2001 quarterly series for sectoral GDP are derived. A flash estimator for the overall macroeconomic performance is obtained through aggregation.
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Germany s dependence on the economic situation in the U.S. is less crucial than generally assumed
Klaus Weyerstraß
Wirtschaft im Wandel,
No. 6,
2002
Abstract
In the context of the recent cyclical downturn in Germany it has often been argued that Germany depends more than other European countries on international economic developments. In this article it is investigated whether empirical support can be found for this proposition. Moreover, it is explored whether this relation has changed over time. For this purpose, vector autoregressive (VAR) models are applied to the output gaps of different economies.
It is shown that in the seventies and eighties, the transmission of business cycle shocks was more pronounced to Germany than to the other EU countries. Since the middle of the nineties, no such differences can be detected. Furthermore, since the middle of the nineties, the effects of shocks from abroad on the German business cycle have been significantly more short-lived than before.
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Current Economic Situation: Cyclical change is immediately ahead
Wirtschaft im Wandel,
No. 4,
2002
Abstract
Das IWH nimmt die Veröffentlichung der gesamtwirtschaftlichen Ergebnisse für 2001 durch das Statistische Bundesamt zum Anlass, seine Konjunkturprognose für Deutschland und für Ostdeutschland vom Dezember 2001 für das laufende Jahr zu aktualisieren. Zugleich gibt es eine erste Vorausschätzung für das Jahr 2003 ab.
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Macroeconomic Modelling of the German Economy in the Framework of Euroland
Rüdiger Pohl, Heinz P. Galler
Schriften des IWH,
No. 11,
2002
Abstract
An attempt to develop a new macroeconometric model for Germany is confronted with several questions that range from the general rationality of such an approach to specific problems of an appropriate model structure. One important aspect of this discussion is the introduction of the Euro as a common currency of the European monetary union. This institutional change may result in structural breaks due to changing behavior of economic agents. In addition, the definition of the spatial unit that is appropriate for modelling becomes a problem. Additional problems come from the introduction of the European Single Market and the increasing international economic integration not only within the European union but also beyond its borders. And in the case of Germany, the unification of the West and the East demand special attention. Last but not least, the harmonization of national accounting for the member states of the European Union has to be dealt with. Thus, the introduction of the Euro as a common currency is just one problem besides others that must be addressed.
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Situation on East German labor market worsens further
Hans-Ulrich Brautzsch
Wirtschaft im Wandel,
No. 3,
2002
Abstract
The article describes the actual situation on the east german labour market. It is pointed out, that in the year 2002 caused by the stagnation of economic growth the disequilibrium on the east german labour market will be increased.
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IWH-Industry Survey at the start of 2002: Cautious confidence in East German industry despite economic downturn
Bärbel Laschke
Wirtschaft im Wandel,
No. 3,
2002
Abstract
The cyclical downturn in the German economy in the year 2001 braked also the turnover of the East German industry. The increase was with 6,5 % clearly under the result of the previous year. Therefor the profitability of the enterprises continued to improve not. It could be stabilized however on the achieved level. The turnover plans of the enterprises for 2002 are reserved. Nevertheless 60% of the enterprises will increase their turnover. Also the job plans are optimistic and the job supply will slightly grow.
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