Training Program

Officials at the ministries of finance or labor, and social security institutions involved in the analysis and design of labor taxes and social benefits.

Participants are expected to have a degree in social science (e.g., economics or social policy) or a related field.

This course provides an overview of the impact of labor taxation and social benefits on employment outcomes in advanced and emerging European countries, with an emphasis on reform options and associated tradeoffs. Boosting employment is a priority in many advanced and emerging European economies, where labor markets are often constrained by demographic trends, low labor-force participation, and weak productivity growth. Undeclared work remains a significant challenge, leaving many individuals without social protection and reducing revenue collection. For these reasons, many governments are considering reducing labor taxation to boost employment and reduce the size of undeclared work.