Social Sector Reform in Transition Countries

March 1, 2001

Preview Citation

Format: Chicago

Christian Keller, and Peter S. Heller Social Sector Reform in Transition Countries, (USA: International Monetary Fund, 2001) accessed November 21, 2024

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

During the transition process, many existing social sector institutions and policies were significantly eroded and their underlying character changed. As a result, they often do not redistribute to the poorest, nor generally serve the role of facilitating economic change. Social sector reforms have therefore become necessary for reasons of social welfare as well as economic growth. The analysis of eleven transition countries—comprising some of the most advanced as well as some of the poorest transition economies—shows that almost all countries have started to undertake reforms; however, their individual efforts vary. Reform does not only stand for cutting back, but also requires in some cases a building up and in others a redesign of social safety nets; it needs to address insurance issues, budgetary transfer programs, the performance of the health and education sector, as well as the labor market regime and the approach to tax administration.

Subject: Education, Expenditure, Health, Health care, Health care spending, Pension spending, Social assistance spending

Keywords: Demographics rank, Early retirement, Europe, Health care, Health care spending, Means testing, Monopoly power, Pension benefit, Public spending, Real value, Reform effort, Resource allocation, Retirement age, Social assistance spending, Social safety nets, Social sector reform, State tax inspectorate, Transition country, Transition economies, Unemployment insurance, WP

Publication Details

Pages:

27
Volume:

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DOI:

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Issue:

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Series:

Working Paper No. 2001/035
Stock No:

WPIEA0352001
ISBN:

9781451845358
ISSN:

1018-5941

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