OECD Economic Surveys: Argentina 2017
Multi-dimensional Economic Survey
Following years of unsustainable economic policies, Argentina has undertaken a bold
turnaround in policies, which has helped to stabilise the economy and avoid another
crisis. Building on this reform progress should help lay the foundations to raise
the material living standards and well-being of all Argentinians, including the most
vulnerable. This Survey discusses the challenges ahead and the policy options to address
these challenges. Improvements in the areas of regulation on product markets, labour
markets, competition, taxes, infrastructure, education, trade policy and financial
markets would strenghten investment and productivity, which are the basis for sustainable
income gains. Some of these reforms will involve adjustment costs as jobs will be
lost in some firms and sectors and created in others, but well-designed policies can
protect the poor and vulnerable from the burden of adjustment. A current focus on
strengthening the social safety net and efforts to improve the quality of education
are part of such policies, as is labour market support for affected workers. The benefits
of stronger growth will depend on improving the distribution of income, which is currently
very unequal and leaves one third of the population in poverty, with more at risk
of falling into poverty. Efforts are also underway to reduce inequalities in the access
to quality education. Public transfers to reduce inequality and poverty will continue
to play an important role, together with stronger efforts to curb labour market informality.
SPECIAL FEATURES: PRODUCTIVITY; INCLUSIVE GROWTH
Published on July 27, 2017
In series:OECD Economic Surveysview more titles