The welfare state in Western Balkan countries: challenges and options
The aim of the article is to assess the challenges facing Western Balkan welfare states and the available strategic options for enhancing social protection and human development in the region. The analyses of challenges encompassed the relevant EU and national statistics. For each challenge, channe...
Saved in:
| Main Author: | |
|---|---|
| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
Institute of Social Science, Belgrade
2019-10-01
|
| Series: | Stanovništvo |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://stnv.idn.org.rs/STNV/article/view/344 |
| Tags: |
Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
|
| _version_ | 1850177716099219456 |
|---|---|
| author | Gordana Matković |
| author_facet | Gordana Matković |
| author_sort | Gordana Matković |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description |
The aim of the article is to assess the challenges facing Western Balkan welfare states and the available strategic options for enhancing social protection and human development in the region. The analyses of challenges encompassed the relevant EU and national statistics. For each challenge, channels were analysed, through which the impact on the welfare state was reflected. Both challenges and options were assessed against the experience of more advanced societies, especially EU countries.
The analysis has shown that most of the challenges identified in advanced societies are also present in Western Balkan countries. These challenges are intensified by these countries’ relatively low gross domestic product, unfavourable social situations, inadequate education, and poor health outcomes, including a number of microefficiency issues in the context of low investment in the social sector. High emigration, long-term unemployment, and the widespread grey economy are identified as particularly important challenges.
Among the strategic options, the small welfare state, universal social investment, and preventive welfare state were analysed. The conclusions emphasise the importance of efficiency as a complementary strategic option, as well as the need to prioritise and focus given the weak and limited administrative, institutional, and expert capacities in the region.
|
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-deb731824ceb47ecaad411244be54189 |
| institution | OA Journals |
| issn | 0038-982X 2217-3986 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2019-10-01 |
| publisher | Institute of Social Science, Belgrade |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Stanovništvo |
| spelling | doaj-art-deb731824ceb47ecaad411244be541892025-08-20T02:18:55ZengInstitute of Social Science, BelgradeStanovništvo0038-982X2217-39862019-10-01571The welfare state in Western Balkan countries: challenges and optionsGordana Matković0FEFA Faculty – Economics Program, Metropolitan University, Belgrade (Serbia) The aim of the article is to assess the challenges facing Western Balkan welfare states and the available strategic options for enhancing social protection and human development in the region. The analyses of challenges encompassed the relevant EU and national statistics. For each challenge, channels were analysed, through which the impact on the welfare state was reflected. Both challenges and options were assessed against the experience of more advanced societies, especially EU countries. The analysis has shown that most of the challenges identified in advanced societies are also present in Western Balkan countries. These challenges are intensified by these countries’ relatively low gross domestic product, unfavourable social situations, inadequate education, and poor health outcomes, including a number of microefficiency issues in the context of low investment in the social sector. High emigration, long-term unemployment, and the widespread grey economy are identified as particularly important challenges. Among the strategic options, the small welfare state, universal social investment, and preventive welfare state were analysed. The conclusions emphasise the importance of efficiency as a complementary strategic option, as well as the need to prioritise and focus given the weak and limited administrative, institutional, and expert capacities in the region. https://stnv.idn.org.rs/STNV/article/view/344welfare statesocial protectionWestern Balkan countrieschallengesoptions |
| spellingShingle | Gordana Matković The welfare state in Western Balkan countries: challenges and options Stanovništvo welfare state social protection Western Balkan countries challenges options |
| title | The welfare state in Western Balkan countries: challenges and options |
| title_full | The welfare state in Western Balkan countries: challenges and options |
| title_fullStr | The welfare state in Western Balkan countries: challenges and options |
| title_full_unstemmed | The welfare state in Western Balkan countries: challenges and options |
| title_short | The welfare state in Western Balkan countries: challenges and options |
| title_sort | welfare state in western balkan countries challenges and options |
| topic | welfare state social protection Western Balkan countries challenges options |
| url | https://stnv.idn.org.rs/STNV/article/view/344 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT gordanamatkovic thewelfarestateinwesternbalkancountrieschallengesandoptions AT gordanamatkovic welfarestateinwesternbalkancountrieschallengesandoptions |