Europe Archives

Italy’s Free-Fall Birth Rate: 2023’s First Half Seen 3,500 Fewer Births

Italy’s scenic coasts and rich history are overshadowed by a rapidly declining birth rate and conflicting governmental decisions. As Italy drafts its 2024 budget, one cannot help but wonder, will Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni’s actions start to reflect her vocal commitment to

October 26, 2023

france flag on gray concrete building near road

Research

Profit-Sharing in France: A Boost for Low-Skilled Workers

A recent NBER working paper (The Effects of Mandatory Profit-Sharing on Workers and Firms: Evidence from France by Elio Nimier-David, David Sraer & David Thesmar) examines France’s mandated profit-sharing scheme. This scheme obligates large firms to share excess profits with employees. But a few questions arises: are

October 24, 2023

Analysis·Updates

Meloni Focused on Tax Cuts Over Italy’s Falling Birth Rate in 2024

As Italy confronts an impending demographic crisis and a collapsing birth rate, anticipation builds around its 2024 budget. Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, a proponent of ‘traditional’ families, is widely expected to infuse policies championing these values. Yet, initial insights into the budget

October 18, 2023

Research

Overeducated: Germany & The Role of Performance Pay

Overeducated workers outperform and earn more than their coworkers in similar roles. Still, they lag behind peers with matching job qualifications in earnings. The big question? How they adjust to the pitfalls of overeducation. This working paper (Overeducation, Performance Pay and Wages:

October 17, 2023

Politics & Policy·Updates

UK Housing: Sunak Urged To Deregulate & Increase Local Control

Key takeaways: Rishi Sunak faces increasing pressure from Tory MPs who demand a rollback of EU rules, precisely the “nutrient neutrality” requirements, which doesn’t affect the central issue of local governments refusing to permit new housing. Many anticipate these concerns will feature

October 16, 2023

person using dewalt cordless impact driver on brown board

Updates

UK Housing: Prices Fall, Affordability Unchanged, Promises Made

Highlights: Key Figures: Deep Dive: Even as UK housing prices continue to tumble, housing affordability is still a primary concern for potential buyers. A recent Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) report underscores this issue. Despite lower housing prices, other factors like lack

October 12, 2023

Politics & Policy·Updates

Italy’s Birth Rate: Meloni Likely Focus on Tax Cuts over Families

Italy’s 2024 budget is in the works. A major concern? Italy’s birth rate fell faster than Japan’s. Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni has championed the ‘traditional’ family, but will the new budget reflect that commitment? Most likely not with her current actions. Why it matters: Italy’s birth

October 10, 2023

Research

Italy’s Population Decline: Causes & Consequences

Italy’s population decline and aging in municipalities have developed distinct trends over the past five decades. A recent study (Demographic sustainability in Italian territories: The link between depopulation and population ageing by Cecilia Reynaud & Sara Miccoli) reveals intriguing patterns and correlations,

October 2, 2023

Research

Negative childbirth experiences linked to lower birth rates

In recent research spearheaded by Johanna Joensuu, MSc, the quality of childbirth experiences at the Hospital District of Helsinki and Uusimaa (HUS) from 2012 to 2018 was explored in detail. The findings indicate a moderate decline in positive childbirth experiences in Finland

September 29, 2023

Uncategorized

New Greek Labor Laws Hurt Greece In the Short & Long Term

What’s happening: Thousands of Greek public sector workers have taken to the streets, marching on the Greek parliament, expressing their discontent over newly proposed labor laws by the government led by Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis. Why it matters: The protests are in

September 26, 2023

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