by Rudy Douven, Ron van der Heijden
October, 2017

In health care systems with a competitive health insurance market, governments or other sponsors (e.g. employers) often subsidize premiums to encourage enrolment. These subsidies are typically independent of plan choice leaving the absolute premium differences in place so as not to distort consumer choice of plan. Such subsidies do, however, change the relative premium differences … Continued

by Paul Redmond , Seamus McGuinness , Elish Kelly
October, 2017

This study examines whether the increase in the contributory state pension age from 65 to 66 in 2014 had an impact on the retirement rate of 65-year-olds in that same year.

by Bernadette Biatour, Chantal Kegels
October, 2017

The objective of the report is to provide an overview of the main drivers of economic growth and the productivity evolution in Belgium, in comparison with its three neighbouring countries and the US over 1970 and 2015. Recent evolutions, over 2000-2015, are analysed in details in order to shed light on the impact of the … Continued

by Arno Hantzsche
October, 2017

This is a preview from the National Institute Economic Review, November 2017, no 242 This Box, prepared by NIESR Senior Economist Arno Hantzsche, outlines the interplay between private and public sector wage growth in the UK “Political pressure is mounting to lift the cap on public sector pay. Since pay restraints were introduced in 2010, real … Continued

by Helen Biin, Märt Masso
September, 2017

The project focuses on exchange of good practices to support self-employed people’s work-life reconciliation. Some people choose self-employment as it can provide flexibility and a better work-life balance, however, it can also result in unpredictable or irregular working hours, as well as the lack of job security and sufficient access to social protection. These factors … Continued

by Mikkel Barslund, Daniel Gros
September, 2017

A fresh look at youth unemployment in Europe finds that it is not the huge societal problem previously thought, but rather that general unemployment merits closer attention. In 2012, youth unemployment took centre stage as a European policy issue. It was on the agenda of successive European Councils and became the target of many policy initiatives aimed … Continued