OECD economic surveys Belgium. 2013
OECD
2013
EISBN 9264183019
Table of contents; Basic Statistics of Belgium, 2011; Executive summary; Main findings; Key recommendations; Assessment and recommendations; Exiting the crisis with a more agile economy and better prepared for ageing challenges; The recovery is hesitant; Table 1. Economic indicators; Figure 1. Labour market; Figure 2. Belgian export market losses have been larger than its competitors; Figure 3. The loan-to-deposit ratio is low within the Euro area; Longer-term growth and the environment; Figure 4. Environmental indicators; Sustainable public finances; Reducing the public debt burden
Figure 5. Illustrative public debt pathsReform of early retirement should improve fiscal sustainability; Figure 6. Expected increases of ageing costs are relatively high; Figure 7. Average effective age of retirement versus the official age; Fiscal federalism reform aligns better revenue and spending responsibilities of regions and communities; Box 1. The 2012 early retirement reforms; Box 2. The reform of fiscal federalism (the State reform); Box 3. Main fiscal policy recommendations; Measures to stimulate labour supply and demand; Box 4. Reform of the unemployment system
Figure 8. Belgian employment rates are age dependentFigure 9. Tax wedges are high; Box 5. The wage formation system; Box 6. Main recommendations to supplement the government's labour market reform; Health care needs to be provided more efficiently and flexibly in an ageing society; Figure 10. Health spending and life expectancy; Institutional reform to improve incentives; Sickness funds should have a bigger role in promoting cost-efficiency; Better information and incentives to enhance cost efficiency; Flexibility of supply is needed, especially in long-term care
Box 7. Main recommendations to secure a more cost-efficient and responsive health systemRationalising the use of the transport infrastructure to reduce congestion; Figure 11. Employment and unemployment rates have large geographical variation; Figure 12. Traffic outcomes are not promising; Reducing the costs of road congestion; Promoting better use of rail infrastructure; Improving policy co-ordination; Box 8. Key recommendations for transport infrastructure; Bibliography; Annex A1. Progress in main structural reforms
Chapter 1. Enhancing the cost efficiency and flexibility of the health sector to adjust to population ageingPopulation ageing poses considerable challenges; Figure 1.1. Population ageing; Box 1.1. Future health and long-term care demand is difficult to anticipate; Table 1.1. Projected increase in public health spending, 2010-60; Figure 1.2. Current expenditure on health; Performance of the health system; Health outcomes are broadly satisfactory; Figure 1.3. Life expectancy; Table 1.2. Mortality rates of infants and mortality by leading causes; Figure 1.4. The Belgian diet is caloric
Box 1.2. Physical activity and health
OECD's 2013 Economic Survey of Belgium examines recent economic developments, policies and prospects. In addition special chapters cover cost-efficient health and infrastructure policies.
Figure 5. Illustrative public debt pathsReform of early retirement should improve fiscal sustainability; Figure 6. Expected increases of ageing costs are relatively high; Figure 7. Average effective age of retirement versus the official age; Fiscal federalism reform aligns better revenue and spending responsibilities of regions and communities; Box 1. The 2012 early retirement reforms; Box 2. The reform of fiscal federalism (the State reform); Box 3. Main fiscal policy recommendations; Measures to stimulate labour supply and demand; Box 4. Reform of the unemployment system
Figure 8. Belgian employment rates are age dependentFigure 9. Tax wedges are high; Box 5. The wage formation system; Box 6. Main recommendations to supplement the government's labour market reform; Health care needs to be provided more efficiently and flexibly in an ageing society; Figure 10. Health spending and life expectancy; Institutional reform to improve incentives; Sickness funds should have a bigger role in promoting cost-efficiency; Better information and incentives to enhance cost efficiency; Flexibility of supply is needed, especially in long-term care
Box 7. Main recommendations to secure a more cost-efficient and responsive health systemRationalising the use of the transport infrastructure to reduce congestion; Figure 11. Employment and unemployment rates have large geographical variation; Figure 12. Traffic outcomes are not promising; Reducing the costs of road congestion; Promoting better use of rail infrastructure; Improving policy co-ordination; Box 8. Key recommendations for transport infrastructure; Bibliography; Annex A1. Progress in main structural reforms
Chapter 1. Enhancing the cost efficiency and flexibility of the health sector to adjust to population ageingPopulation ageing poses considerable challenges; Figure 1.1. Population ageing; Box 1.1. Future health and long-term care demand is difficult to anticipate; Table 1.1. Projected increase in public health spending, 2010-60; Figure 1.2. Current expenditure on health; Performance of the health system; Health outcomes are broadly satisfactory; Figure 1.3. Life expectancy; Table 1.2. Mortality rates of infants and mortality by leading causes; Figure 1.4. The Belgian diet is caloric
Box 1.2. Physical activity and health
OECD's 2013 Economic Survey of Belgium examines recent economic developments, policies and prospects. In addition special chapters cover cost-efficient health and infrastructure policies.
