Oecd Economic Surveys 2019 5 Portugal 2021

As in most OECD countries, the pandemic triggered a deep recession in Portugal and put huge pressure on the healthcare system. The policy response helped to weather the shock and the recovery has gained speed, sustained by progress in vaccination.

The French economy rebounded quickly following the COVID-19 crisis, in particular thanks to the acceleration of the vaccination campaign and strong public support measures. Rapid and effective implementation of the recovery and investment plans would help support stronger and more sustainable growth.

The Portuguese economy has rebounded strongly from the COVID-19 crisis. Though high inflation and weak global economic conditions have slowed growth in 2022, renewed fiscal support helped to cushion the impact. Public debt relative to GDP has declined below its 2019 level, but rapid population ageing and strong investment needs are increasing fiscal pressures.

Japan's current economic expansion is its longest of the post-war era, with per capita output growth nearly matching the OECD area since 2012. However, the expansion has peaked and global uncertainties weigh on the outlook. Growth is projected to continue at a moderate rate, supported by expansionary monetary policies and fiscal measures to offset the 2019 consumption tax rate hike. Notwithstanding rising female participation, labour shortages are intensifying, reflecting Japan's shrinking and ageing population, thus underlining the importance of labour market reform. Traditional labour practices, such as seniority-based wages and mandatory retirement, are poorly suited to the era of 100-year lives. Comprehensive reforms, including abolishing the right of firms to set mandatory retirement and removing obstacles to female employment, are essential. Population ageing also puts further upward pressure on public social spending and government debt, which relative to GDP is already the highest ever recorded in the OECD area. Japan needs a comprehensive fiscal consolidation plan covering specific spending cuts and revenue increases to ensure fiscal sustainability. It is essential to contain the rise in health and long-term care spending, while expanding the joint provision of local public services across jurisdictions and developing compact cities in the context of depopulation. SPECIAL FEATURES: LABOUR REFORM IN AN AGEING SOCIETY; ENSURING FISCAL SUSTAINABILITY

Portugal’s economic recovery is now well established, with GDP back to its pre-crisis level. However, legacies of the recent crisis remain. A high public debt burden and ongoing financial sector vulnerabilities make the economy less resilient. The country is also facing a rapidly ageing ...