Conference on macroeconomic challenges and policy options

Notwithstanding a recent upturn in some countries, economic growth and productivity are generally sluggish, despite nominal interest rates close to or even below zero and unconventional monetary policy measures. Inflation is still low and there are few signs of a return to more normal levels. The protracted weakness contributes in many countries to slow employment growth, and stubbornly high unemployment. Renewed financial stress may further slow the recovery.

The purpose of the conference is to provide a broad overview of the global growth outlook and a discussion of the policy options to handle various headwinds for recovery, such as demographic changes, high propensities to save, increasing inequality and a possible slowdown of the rate of innovation.

Innovation, Skills, and Investment: their role in the medium term outlook for Europe and the Global Economy.
Catherine L. Mann, Chief economist and Head of the economics department, OECD

• Presentation slides: Innovation, skills and investment: their role in the medium-term outlook

Medium and long term economic outlook for Sweden.
Jesper Hansson, Director of forecasting, NIER

• Presentation slides: Medium and long term economic outlook for Sweden

Structural and other headwinds for economic recovery.
Secular stagnation and the demographic development.
Coen Teulings, Professor of Economics, University of Cambridge and CEPR research fellow

• Presentation slides: Secular stagnation, deflation & fiscal policy

Panel discussion: Headwinds for Sweden and the Euro area – policy responses.

Participants:

• Karolina Ekholm, State Secretary, Ministry of Finance
• Catherine L. Mann, Chief economist and Head of the economics department, OECD
• Jesper Hansson, Director of forecasting, NIER
• Coen Teulings, Professor of Economics, University of Cambridge and CEPR research fellow
• Annika Winsth, Chief economist, Nordea
  Presentation slides
• Ola Pettersson, Chief economist, Swedish TUC (LO)