Italy

Italy has navigated the economic crisis better than many of its European neighbors, but this should not create complacency among policy makers. Unless urgent corrections are made, Italy’s economy will evolve in ways that are bound to lead to a painful crisis. […]

Though Italy has exhibited better fiscal management than Greece, its debt level is still higher and its competitiveness has deteriorated just as sharply. To avoid its own sovereign debt crisis, Italy must raise its primary balance, cut labor costs, and enact structural reform. […]