## Economic Transition and Social Protection: Issues and Agenda for Reform

_IMF Policy Discussion Papers, December 1, 1998_

## Source details

**Canonical URL:** [Economic Transition and Social Protection: Issues and Agenda for Reform](https://www.imf.org/en/publications/imf-policy-discussion-papers/issues/2016/12/30/economic-transition-and-social-protection-issues-and-agenda-for-reform-2844)

## Other formats

- [Markdown version](/en/publications/imf-policy-discussion-papers/issues/2016/12/30/economic-transition-and-social-protection-issues-and-agenda-for-reform-2844/index.md)
- [Structured JSON version](/en/publications/imf-policy-discussion-papers/issues/2016/12/30/economic-transition-and-social-protection-issues-and-agenda-for-reform-2844/index.json)
- [Bundle manifest](/en/publications/imf-policy-discussion-papers/issues/2016/12/30/economic-transition-and-social-protection-issues-and-agenda-for-reform-2844/bundle-manifest.json)

## Bibliographic details
- Authors: Sanjeev Gupta
- Published: December 1, 1998
- Series: IMF Policy Discussion Papers
- DOI: https://doi.org/10.5089/9781451967760.003

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### Scope and focus
- Brief description of factors constraining social protection policies in the Baltics, Russia, and other countries of the former Soviet Union (BRO).
- Analysis of public spending in social programs, including:
  - generalized subsidies for goods and consumer services
  - pensions
  - unemployment-related and social benefits
  - education and health care
- Presentation of policies intended to help mitigate worsening living standards of the poor and vulnerable in a fiscally sustainable manner.

### Key findings and themes
- The paper identifies constraints on social protection policies across BRO economies during transition.
- Public spending components examined include subsidies, pension spending, unemployment-related benefits, social benefits, education, and health care.
- The analysis emphasizes the trade-off between protecting living standards of the poor and vulnerable and maintaining fiscal sustainability.

### Policy agenda (as presented)
- The paper lists policies aimed at mitigating worsening living standards of the poor and the vulnerable while preserving fiscal sustainability.
- Policies are presented in the context of transition-related constraints in BRO countries.

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## Content in this bundle

- **Economic Transition and Social Protection--Issues and Agenda for Reform - PPAA/98/14**
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_Source: https://www.imf.org/en/publications/imf-policy-discussion-papers/issues/2016/12/30/economic-transition-and-social-protection-issues-and-agenda-for-reform-2844_