Fiscal Sustainability and Competitiveness in Europe and Asia

Over the last two decades the fiscal positions of many advanced economies have deteriorated significantly, leading to ever-growing levels of public debt and mounting concerns about debt sustainability. Fiscal positions are set to weaken further on account of the worsening demographics which are likely to place upward pressure on public social expenditures. This book examines key issues and policy concerns relating to fiscal sustainability and competitiveness in European and Asian economies. In addition to estimating the extent of fiscal capacity or lack thereof for these economies, this book supplements the empirical analysis with country case studies.

Ramkishen S. Rajan is an Adjunct Senior Research Fellow at the Asia Competitiveness Institute (ACI), Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy, National University of Singapore. He is also Professor of International Economic Policy in the School of Public Policy, George Mason University, USA.

Tan Khee Giap is Co-Director at the Asia Competitiveness Institute (ACI) and Associate Professor in the Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy, National University of Singapore. He is also Chairman of the Singapore National Committee for Pacific Economic Cooperation (SINCPEC).

Tan Kong Yam is Co-Director of the Asia Competitiveness Institute (ACI) and Professor of Economics in the School of Humanities and Social Sciences, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore.

1. Overview
2. Fiscal Sustainability and Competitiveness: Definitions, Issues and Measures
3. Nordics
4. GIPSIs
5. North Asia and India
6. Southeast Asia
7. Drawing Lessons