French Public Finances: Modeling Long-Term Prospects and Reform Options

Author/Editor:

Karl F Habermeier ; Fabrice Lenseigne

Publication Date:

February 1, 1998

Electronic Access:

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Disclaimer: This Working Paper should not be reported as representing the views of the IMF.The views expressed in this Working Paper are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily represent those of the IMF or IMF policy. Working Papers describe research in progress by the author(s) and are published to elicit comments and to further debate

Summary:

Over the coming decades, demographic developments will lead to a significant increase in public outlays on pensions and health care, relative to national income. This study extends earlier work by considering the adverse effects of taxation on the determinants of economic growth -- in particular, investment, productivity growth, and labor force participation. Available empirical evidence suggests that these adverse effects could well be sizable, and that conventional estimates of the adverse effects of population aging probably severely underestimate their impact on the public finances and economic performance. The paper uses stochastic simulations to examine the robustness of the results to changes in parameter values. It also provides quantitative simulations of various reform options, including mainly an increase in the effective retirement age and flanking labor market measures.

Series:

Working Paper No. 1998/012

Subject:

Aging Expenditure Health care spending Labor Pension spending Pensions Population and demographics

English

Publication Date:

February 1, 1998

ISBN/ISSN:

9781451842876/1018-5941

Stock No:

WPIEA0121998

Pages:

51

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