Evolution of Household Durables in Egypt

Poverty is widespread in Egypt, affecting 40 percent of the population, and there are deep pockets of poverty. The 40 percent overall poverty rate in 2005 represents 28 million people, of which 13.6 million (19.6 of population) are in absolute poverty, and even more, 14.5 million (21.0 percent), are near-poor. Furthermore, 2.6 million of the poor (3.8 percent of population) are extremely poor (see Table 1, panels A and B). Many people are also concentrated around the poverty line, meaning that a miniscule decline in monthly consumption of just LE 4 will make additional 2.3 percent of the population poor. By the same token, concentration of the poor around the poverty line means that even a small income boost can move more than 2 percent of the population out of poverty

via Egypt Poverty Assessment Update- World Bank

What are binding constraints to growth in Fiji?

Is land reform the most binding constraint to growth in Fiji?

A comprehensive package of structural reforms is being prepared by the authorities to spur growth and create jobs. This includes reforms to the civil service, public enterprises, public pension fund, and land-lease system—together with price liberalization. Staff noted the importance of well designed reforms to lift potential growth...

Land tenure reform is a key priority of the Government’s reform agenda. It is also an area that Staff and other multilateral institutions also consider as vital to raising the economic growth potential of the economy given large areas of unutilized arable land. The Government has formed a task force that will facilitate utilization of idle land for productive use. Land will be available for leases under this effort from the first quarter of 2010.

For Discussion: What do you think are the binding constraints to growth in Fiji?


Related:
Fisheries in the Economies of the Pacific Island Countries and Territories

Finding Balance-Making State-Owned Enterprises Work in Fiji, Samoa, and Tonga

IMF loan for Fiji seen as long-term liability

Doing Business - Fiji

WDI -Fiji

Binding Constraints in the Pacific

Assorted on Financial Crisis

The Financial Crisis: Where Do We Go From Here? (October 13, 2008)

Nouriel Roubini, Brad W. Setser and Benn Steil


Crisis in Financial Markets (December 15, 2008)

Panelists include Joseph Stiglitz, Richard Robb, and Christian Deseglise; moderated by Jose Antonio Ocampo

Link of the Day

At an auction of foreclosed US homes: Audio slideshow

How did a few failed banks add up to a financial meltdown?

A short explanation of the financial crises from Krugman

Macro Podcasts

Wachter Says Parts of the U.S. Are in Depression
Susan Wachter, a professor at the University of Pennsylvania's Wharton School, talks with Bloomberg's Tom Keene about U.S. housing, the rental market and the economic crisis

Calomiris Sees Another Financial Shock Ahead From Europe

Clarida Says Geithner Proposal Should Help Economy

Retsinas Says U.S. Built 1 Million Too Many Homes
Nicolas Retsinas, director of the Joint Center for Housing Studies at Harvard University, talks to Bloomberg's Tom Keene and Ken Prewitt about U.S. housing.

Does spending work?

Capitalism and innovation
In response to the global financial crisis most commentators equate Capitalism with Wall Street. But Edmund Phelps argues that it's also to do with Main Street: small towns and small entrepreneurs.

Understanding and blame while the money runs out