The effects of social security systems on macroeconomic performance: a cross-sectional analysis

Abstract

Developments in demographic factors affect the magnitude of several Social Security attributes, and have recently lead many countries to reform their systems. The most marked one of such reforms is the transition from Pay-as-you-go (PAYG) based systems to funded systems. This thesis discusses the effects of social security systems on a country’s macroeconomic performance by means of a cross-sectional study. It examines five main macroeconomic indicators: GDP growth rate, budget deficit, private saving rate, unemployment and inflation. It does so by using both their main macroeconomic determinants and the relevant social security attributes, such as dependency ratio, social security deficit, retirement ages, contribution rates, and public spending on social security. Our main conclusion is that many social security attributes significantly affect macroeconomic indicators.