May 2019

21May

What’s going on with an aging population and productivity?

The impact of an aging population on economic output and growth is the focus of an increasing number of studies. This development is not surprising given the retirement of the baby boomers and a rapid increase in the share of the population over age 60.The studies, however, provide seemingly conflicting conclusions. Two studies say an aging population is bad, and two say that it’s good.First, here’s what theory would tell you. In the absence of any other change, an...

May 21, 2019
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21May

Beyond mobile payments: Going up the value chain of fintech in Africa

Sub-Saharan Africa has become the global leader in mobile money adoption, usage, and innovation. The challenge now is to go beyond the success in payments to meet the unmet demand in the region for other, underdeveloped financial services that can facilitate the digitalization of other segments of the economy. In a new report, my colleagues and I take a closer look at the policy challenges that need to be addressed to go up the value chain of financial technology (fintech)...

May 21, 2019
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21May

Alexander Forbes announces retreat from Uganda

Alexander Forbes Financial Services Ltd said it is exiting Uganda, part of a parent company strategic review to focus on core businesses in its primary market and reset its pan-African operations.The reset of operations outside South Africa, its primary market, will see the financial services group exit “sub-scale markets such as Uganda,” Alexander Forbes Group Holdings Ltd. said in a regulatory announcement on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange in March.“The company is committed to an orderly exit from Uganda and...

May 21, 2019
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21May

DBRS warns Finland about population ageing, rising household debt

FINLAND has received yet another warming about population ageing and growing household debt.DBRS, a credit rating agency headquartered in Toronto, Canada, on Friday stated that population ageing and the shrinking of the working-age population are putting pressure on the public economy, representing a major medium-term challenge for Finland.The high level of household debt was another source of concern for the credit rating agency. “The high debt level and substantial portion of mortgages with variable interest rates increase the vulnerability of the...

May 21, 2019
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21May

Australia. Tony Abbott’s Going to Make Way More Money After Losing His Job

Tony Abbott lost his job over the weekend. The former Australian prime minister, onion muncher, and long-term MP for the north Sydney electorate of Warringah suffered a crushing defeat at the hands of Independent underdog Zali Steggall on Saturday night, bringing his political career to an abrupt and somewhat humiliating end. “I can’t say it doesn’t hurt to lose,” he told his supporters on election night, after conceding to Steggall. “So be it. I’d rather be a loser than...

May 21, 2019
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20May

UK. FCA investigates 30 pension advisers

The Financial Conduct Authority is currently investigating 30 unnamed individuals and firms for poor pension transfer advice and scams, according to Labour MP Nick Smith. The information was revealed by Economic secretary to the Treasury John Glen, who responded to a letter from the Blaenau Gwent MP, who asked for information on what action the regulator has taken against rogue advisers. Mr Glen also revealed that enforcement action has been taken against 15 businesses and individuals for "pensions misconduct"...

May 20, 2019
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20May

US. Is Our Health Care Spending Worth It?

Many people know by now that the United States spends much more on health care than any other country, and that health outcomes are not a lot better (and in many instances worse). That raises the question: Is our health care spending actually worth it? It’s tricky to figure out the extent of the roles that the environment, genetics and social support play in improving health. Nevertheless, the best evidence tells us that health care is still very valuable,...

May 20, 2019
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20May

Three economic myths about aging

Population ageing due to longevity is one of the greatest successes of the modern era. However, it is widely thought to dramatically reduce workforce participation and overall output resulting in significant economic costs. This widely held view is wrong. Ageing countries have higher economic growth and the improved health and longevity of older people increases their economic contributions. High immigration is also thought to combat population ageing and be a remedy for these non-existent costs of ageing. This is...

May 20, 2019
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17May

Sex Workers Lobby for Pensions and Health Services in India Amid Elections

India is holding general and legislative assembly elections in the states of Andhra Pradesh, Arunachal Pradesh, Odisha, and Sikkim until 19 May. Sex workers are lobbying candidates in the Indian general election asking them to support their demands for better health and welfare services in return for votes. The AINSW reportedly has 5 million members, yet sex workers have no special influence. Indian society and politics are known to be too conservative to talk about sex work openly, much...

May 17, 2019
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17May

Four Nordic Pension Plans Commit $700 Million to Renewable Energy

Three Danish pension funds and one Norwegian plan have invested $700 million in a renewable energy infrastructure fund. The four Nordic funds, $35.2 billion PensionDanmark, ATP ($125 billion), Laegernes Pension ($134 billion), and Norway’s Kommunal Landspensionkasse ($700 million), will focus their environmental, social, and governance (ESG) efforts on mostly Asian and Latin American infrastructure projects. They are pooling their ESG investments in a new vehicle to manage the money, the Copenhagen Infrastructure New Markets Fund I portfolio. The infra-fund...

May 17, 2019
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