IMF Podcasts

The features of a fragile state can include political and economic instability, poverty, civil disorder, terrorism, human trafficking, disease, or all of these. But how to identify a fragile state, and what policies can fragile states pursue to become fully functioning nations?

Over the past several decades, advanced economies, especially the United States, have seen a striking rise in inequality. David Autor of MIT, argues that trend is driven by rapidly developing technology, which has made highly educated workers much more valuable, and which is pushing others out of jobs.

The global economy is set to strengthen gradually in 2013, but risks remain. In the latest update to its World Economic Outlook, the IMF projects growth will be 3.5% this year. In this podcast, the IMF chief economist explains that despite the brighter outlook, policymakers need to address risks to the global economy.

Dans le dernier rapport sur les Perspectives de l'économie mondiale, le FMI prévoit une croissance de 3,5 % cette année. Dans ce podcast, Mr. Blanchard explique qu'en dépit de l'amélioration des perspectives, les dirigeants doivent s'attaquer aux risques qui pèsent sur l'économie mondiale.

World leaders have avoided a collapse of the global economy, but they must now follow through with reforms to avoid a relapse into crisis, says Christine Lagarde, the head of the IMF.

Durant ces dernières années, l'évolution en dents de scie des cours des matières premières a porté atteinte à de nombreuses régions, et notamment à l'Afrique subsaharienne. Le sort des pays de la région est en effet intimement lié aux fluctuations de ces prix. Que peuvent donc faire les pays pour se protéger contre ces chocs?

Selon Acemoglu, la pauvreté ou la prospérité d'une nation sont sans doute autant l'affaire de la politique que de l'économie. Il avance que les pays plus démocratiques dotés d'institutions politiques «inclusives» parviennent à créer et à entretenir la prospérité, tandis que les régimes «extractifs» autoritaires mènent à la pauvreté.

In the second part of our series on social safety nets in sub-Saharan Africa, we look at practice on the ground. In Burkina Faso, the IMF is working with the government to develop targeted welfare programs. The aim is to identify and help the most vulnerable. But it is still a work-in-progress.

Globally, over 200 million people are unemployed, according to the IMF. Many European markets and emerging markets are suffering double-digit jobless rates, and youth and long-term unemployment are at alarming levels. What skills then do job seekers in a global labor market need to succeed?

Social safety nets aren't just charitable handouts, they're an essential way to ensure growth is sustainable, says the IMF. Safety nets range from cash transfers through health care, to public works programs to create employment. Over the last decade, more countries in sub-Saharan Africa have been adopting social safety nets to help their poorest.