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on Transition Economics |
| By: | Janda, Karel; Turkova, Anezka |
| Abstract: | This paper deals with the impact of climate change on crop insurance in the Czech Republic in the context of government support policies. It combines a comparative analysis of selected EU countries’ insurance systems with an empirical investigation of factors influencing Czech farmers’ decisions to purchase crop insurance. Using farm-level data, the analysis explores the roles of weather variability, government disaster aid, and participation in agri-environmental schemes. We show that past experience with extreme weather and dependence on state aid have a significant impact on insurance uptake, while recent weather anomalies and participation in environmental schemes have a limited influence. |
| Keywords: | government policy, crop insurance, climate, weather |
| JEL: | D81 G22 Q12 Q18 Q54 |
| Date: | 2025 |
| URL: | https://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:zbw:esprep:330706 |
| By: | Olivier De Jonghe (European Central Bank); Konstantins Benkovskis (Latvijas Banka); Karolis Bielskis (Bank of Lithuania); Diana Bonfim (Banco de Portugal); Margherita Bottero (Banca d'Italia); Tamas Briglevics (Central Bank of Hungar); Martin Cesnak (National Bank of Slovakia); Mantas Dirma (Bank of Lithuania); Marina Emiris (National Bank of Belgium); Palma Filep-Mosberger (Central Bank of Hungary); Valentin Jouvanceau (Bank of Lithuania); Nicholas Kaiser (Central Bank of Ireland); Dmitry Khametshin (Banco de Espana); Tibor Lalinsky (National Bank of Slovakia); Viola M. Grolmusz (Central Bank of Hungary); Laura Moretti (Central Bank of Ireland); Arturs Janis Nikitins (Latvijas Banka); Angelo Nunnari (Banca d'Italia); Maria Rodriguez-Moreno (Banco de Espana); Elitsa Stefanova (European Central Bank); Lajos Tamas Szabo (Central Bank of Hungary); Karlis Vilerts (Latvijas Banka); Sujiao Emma Zhao (Banco de Portugal) |
| Abstract: | We study heterogeneity in households' credit across nine European countries (Belgium, Spain, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Portugal, and Slovakia) during 2022-2024 using granular credit register data. We first document substantial between- and within-country variation in mortgage and consumer lending by borrower age, loan maturity, and interest rate fixation. We then quantify the passthrough of the ECB's recent tightening cycle to household borrowing costs, and assess its heterogeneous impact across households. Pass-through is nearly complete for mortgages (around 0.9) but considerably weaker for consumer credit (around 0.4). While mortgage pass-through is relatively homogeneous across countries, consumer credit shows pronounced cross-country differences that cannot be explained by borrower or loan characteristics. Younger households face stronger mortgage pass-through but weaker consumer credit pass-through relative to older borrowers, and longer maturities are associated with stronger pass-through in both credit markets. |
| Keywords: | pmonetary policy transmission, household borrowing, credit registers, interest rate pass-through, cross-country heterogeneity |
| JEL: | E52 G21 D14 |
| Date: | 2025–11–10 |
| URL: | https://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ltv:wpaper:202509 |
| By: | Marek Sedivy (Institute of Economic Studies, Faculty of Social Sciences, Charles University, Prague, Czech Republic) |
| Abstract: | Unequal consumption sharing within households is well-documented. However, there is limited evidence on the stability of within-household inequality over time. We combine a collective household model with consumption survey data spanning 24 years to study the evolution of within-household consumption inequality. Our findings reveal substantial and persistent withinhousehold consumption inequality. On average, Czech men consume nearly 60% of total adult household consumption expenditure during the considered time period. |
| Keywords: | collective household model, sharing rule, inequality, within-household inequality, consumption |
| JEL: | D13 D16 D39 |
| Date: | 2025–11 |
| URL: | https://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:fau:wpaper:wp2025_24 |
| By: | McQuade, Peter; Pancaro, Cosimo; Reghezza, Alessio; Avril, Pauline |
| Abstract: | This paper investigates whether geopolitical risk causes a reduction in bank lending. In particular, it focuses on how the increase in geopolitical risk stemming from the Russian invasion of Ukraine affected euro area bank credit supply. Matching granular supervisory and credit register data and using a panel difference-in-difference approach, the results show that banks with larger exposure to the increase in geopolitical risk cut lending significantly more than those with smaller exposure. Banks with greater exposure raised impairments despite exhibiting similar levels of credit distress to their peers, suggesting that the fall in lending was driven by uncertainty. Moreover, firms that were heavily reliant on banks with high exposure to geopolitical risk were unable to fully substitute this shortfall in credit by borrowing more from less affected banks, which significantly constrained firm investment and employment. JEL Classification: G1, G21, E22 |
| Keywords: | banks, financial markets, uncertainty |
| Date: | 2025–11 |
| URL: | https://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ecb:ecbwps:20253143 |
| By: | Daniel Montolio (Universitat de Barcelona & IEB); Guillem Riambau (Universitat de Barcelona & IEB) |
| Abstract: | We conduct an online survey across four countries of the European Union (Germany, Ireland, Poland, and Spain) to study how the socio-economic determinants of their citizens condition their ability to detect fake headlines and their likelihood of sharing them using social media. Additionally, we analyze the impact of attitudinal and ideological variables on the probability of detecting (and sharing) fake news. Results point to a significant role of some socio-economic and political variables in determining both the probability of detecting and sharing fake news on social media; results also show interesting country heterogeneity. Political headlines are more likely to be misclassified, which underscores the challenge of overcoming ideological biases in media consumption. We highlight the importance of fostering digital literacy, especially among young and more vulnerable individuals, to promote responsible democratic citizenship. |
| Keywords: | Fake News, Misinformation, Social Media, Survey, Attitudes |
| JEL: | D90 D91 |
| Date: | 2025 |
| URL: | https://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ieb:wpaper:doc2025-11 |
| By: | Grega Ferenc |
| Abstract: | This paper presents causal evidence on how financial aid for Hungarian minorities in Slovakia leads to their non-assimilation. Using a staggered panel event study design, I show that the introduction of financial aid by the Hungarian government led to a statistically significant 2.35 percentage points increase in the yearly rate of change in the share of Hungarians in the first post-treatment period relative to the pre-treatment period. In subsequent years, the effect diminishes to around one percentage point relative to the baseline. When excluding all infrastructure investments from the analysis, the effect in the first post-treatment period is significant and positive. However, it completely levels off in the following periods. The results could suggest that while Hungarian investments in culture are important, they have to be complemented by adequate investments in infrastructure to ensure that more people identify as Hungarians in Slovakia. The results could have implications not only for Hungarians living in Slovakia and other countries but also for the future of European minority protection programs, as laid down in the relevant international legal documents, such as the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights or the Copenhagen criteria of the European Union. This research should pave the way for future analyses on the prevention of assimilation of autochthonous ethnic minorities worldwide. |
| Date: | 2025 |
| URL: | https://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ces:ifowps:_420 |
| By: | Nguyen, Anh Tram; Napasintuwong, Orachos |
| Keywords: | Agricultural and Food Policy, Consumer/Household Economics, Sustainability |
| Date: | 2025–09–15 |
| URL: | https://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ags:asea25:373369 |
| By: | Tatyana Deryugina; Alminas Zaldokas; Anastassia Fedyk; Yuriy Gorodnichenko; James Hodson; Ilona Sologoub |
| Abstract: | We develop a novel, scalable method for assessing the quality of public procurement systems using standard administrative data. Our approach compares the distribution of procurement opportunities to the distribution of contract awards across firms. We first derive a simple theoretical benchmark that relates the expected distribution of contract value winning firms, measured as a Herfindahl-Hirschman index (HHI), to the distribution of auction values, measured as a respective HHI, and the number of winning firms. Significant deviations of winning firms' HHI from this benchmark indicate potential governance failures such as corruption or unchecked collusion. Our method requires no subjective input, is transparent and reproducible, and allows for meaningful comparisons across countries, industry sectors, and over time. We use procurement data from Ukraine and EU member states in 2018-2021 to assess the performance of five large sectors. Results indicate that Ukraine's procurement performance in four of the five sectors is comparable to many other European countries. However, Ukraine's construction sector consistently displays the largest excess concentration among all countries considered, consistent with anecdotal evidence of corruption in this sector. Overall, with minimal data requirements, our method offers a practical tool for cross-sector and cross-country assessment of procurement systems. |
| Keywords: | procurement, corruption, Ukraine, collusion |
| JEL: | D73 L10 H11 |
| Date: | 2025 |
| URL: | https://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ces:ceswps:_12250 |
| By: | Hett, Valeriia (SFM - Swiss Forum for Migration and Population Studies) |
| Abstract: | Switzerland activated temporary collective protection (Status S) in March 2022 to respond to the large-scale displacement caused by the war in Ukraine. This exceptional measure, aligned with the European Union’s Temporary Protection Directive, provided immediate access to residence, employment, education and social support, while deliberately remaining temporary in nature. However, the ongoing and protracted nature of the conflict requires consideration of future steps beyond temporary protection. This article develops a conceptual two-stage model adapted to Swiss context. Phase 1 (2025-2027) focuses on facilitating gradual transitions into existing residence categories, which will strength integration and reduce the risks of institutionalised temporariness. Phase 2 (from 2027 onwards) underscores voluntary, safe and dignified return, where possible, in addition to residual protection for those who cannot be repatriated. The proposed framework aims to reconcile humanitarian obligations, integration policies and long-term sustainability. |
| Date: | 2025–10–27 |
| URL: | https://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:osf:socarx:gh6b3_v2 |
| By: | Adamus, Magdalena (Masaryk University); Guzi, Martin (Masaryk University); Ballová Mikušková, Eva (Slovak Academy of Sciences) |
| Abstract: | The paper investigates gender biases and differential treatment of women and men in the business start-up phase. A sample of 498 entrepreneurs from Slovakia participated in an online experiment and evaluated three fictitious business plans in terms of the applicants’ competence, likeability, and business ability. The start-ups were positioned in three different sectors—cosmetics production, services provision, and software development—where men’s and women’s chances of success may be viewed differently. Following Goldberg’s paradigm, half of the evaluators received business plans presented as written by female and half by male applicants; otherwise the plans were identical. Results imply that female applicants are assessed similarly to male applicants, but more masculine evaluators assess women’s business plans and their potential in entrepreneurship more critically. The study advises caution in recommending more female evaluators in the business plan assessment. If women who become involved in entrepreneurship are excessively masculine and masculinity is associated with a less favourable evaluation of potential female entrepreneurs, such policies could backfire against women, putting them in a more disadvantaged position. |
| Keywords: | Goldberg paradigm, start-up, entrepreneurship, masculinity, gender identity, gender-role theory |
| JEL: | J16 M13 L26 |
| Date: | 2025–11 |
| URL: | https://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:iza:izadps:dp18245 |
| By: | Elveren, Adem Yavuz |
| Abstract: | Introduction: Global military expenditure increased to about $2.4 trillion in 2023, basically driven by the Russia-Ukraine war and other geopolitical tensions (SIPRI 2024). According to SIPRI, the 6.8% rise in total military spending was the largest since 2009. As a result, the global military burden reached 2.3% of world GDP, with governments allocating an average of 6.9% of their budgets to defense. Policymakers frequently frame high levels of military spending as indispensable for maintaining deterrence and protecting national interests, thereby legitimizing disproportionate defense budgets. However, higher levels of military expenditure do not necessarily translate into greater peace or stability. On the contrary, they tend to intensify arms races and escalate geopolitical rivalries, thereby heightening the likelihood of conflict (UN 2025). A growing body of empirical evidence indicates that military spending crowds out resources vital for social investment, poverty reduction, quality and extensive education and healthcare, gender equality, infrastructure development, and environmental protection (Elgin et al. 2022; UN Women 2022; Elveren 2025a). (...) |
| Date: | 2025 |
| URL: | https://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:zbw:cessdp:330668 |