Itinera Institute - Press releases

VAT reduction for restaurants: who benefits?

Mon, 23 Jan 2012 12:00:00 +0100

Laurent Hanseeuw and Jean Hindriks analyze the effects of a VAT reduction for the catering industry, introduced in Belgium in 2010. First, they review the economic fundamentals pleading for such a favorable rate. Then they analyze the impact of this reduction based on the reasons which have been used to justify such a reduced rate. We can conclude that the impact has been fairly modest when it comes to job creation and that the sector remains heavily exposed to the black economy.

Itinera reacts on the Vande Lanotte proposal to decrease the price of drugs

Thu, 12 Jan 2012 12:00:00 +0100

Itinera has thoughts about the new Vande Lanotte proposal saying that there should be a decrease in the price of medicines whenever medicine prices in neighbouring countries are dropping. This measure is an example like so many others in the current healthcare policy in which prompt budgetary successes are more important than structural reform or sustainability.

The number of young people who have to repeat their schoolyear in Flanders is double as high as the international average

Thu, 05 Jan 2012 12:00:00 +0100

More independence and responsibility for the public servant

Wed, 04 Jan 2012 12:00:00 +0100

The Itinera Institute congratulates State Secretary Hendrik Bogaert with his intention to improve the functioning of the federal administration. Formalizing personnel evaluations on an annual base is however not the solution for a better public service. Itinera pleas for a results-driven culture and a public agencies system.

The Budget 2012 through the Itinera lens

Tue, 29 Nov 2011 12:00:00 +0100

Working on working longer: the Netherlands beat Belgium with a fixed score

Fri, 18 Nov 2011 12:00:00 +0100

From #NoGov to #GoodGov: Itinera calls on government negotiators to strategic reflection for a key term

Tue, 25 Oct 2011 12:00:00 +0100

Belgium is on the eve of a new federal government. The Itinera Institute pleas for a long-term strategic vision. The major crisis pressure may not limit the government work to crisis measures only. Itinera is equally laying the foundation of a new and sustainable prosperity and protection for the future. The report "From #NoGov to #GoodGov" is therefore a constructive contribution to the negotiations, from a strategic and long-term perspective. The emphasis lies on the major challenges facing the new government, with 45 concrete recommendations for a vigorous policy.

The budgetary and fiscal challenges for the next government

Fri, 14 Oct 2011 12:00:00 +0100

The quest for growth

Wed, 21 Sep 2011 12:00:00 +0100

How to refinance our universities?

Mon, 19 Sep 2011 12:00:00 +0100

Your money or your life? A plea for more cost effectiveness analyses in Belgian healthcare.

Tue, 13 Sep 2011 12:00:00 +0100

Renewable energies in Flandres. What will be the extra cost per family in 2020 ?

Mon, 25 Jul 2011 12:00:00 +0100

Itinera reacts on Di Rupo's nota

Tue, 05 Jul 2011 12:00:00 +0100

Di Rupo's nota is encouraging. It dresses a broad framework for negociations with a particular attention for the budget and the needed reforms. According to Itinera, more reforms will be needed to guarantee a sustainable socio-economic future for the young.

Housing in times of scarcity. To a renovation of the housing policy.

Thu, 23 Jun 2011 12:00:00 +0100

What is at stake with family reunion in Belgium?

Wed, 25 May 2011 12:00:00 +0100

Can a working couple still afford a new house?

Wed, 18 May 2011 12:00:00 +0100

Introduction of the Itinera pension book

Wed, 11 May 2011 12:00:00 +0100

The papyboom has started with a hundred new retirees each day. The Social Security has a deficit of several billions due to aging, and not because of the crisis. What now? Jean Hindriks (Senior Fellow at the Itinera Institute) and Ivan Van de Cloot (Chief Economist at the Itinera Institute) make an alarming conclusion about our pension system. The authors set up concrete and progressive proposals in order to get our system back on track and at the same time preserve the solidarity between generations. Only regeneration will breathe new life into our pension system. Read our press release.

A modern and effective public sector

Wed, 13 Apr 2011 12:00:00 +0100

The right price per kWh?

Thu, 07 Apr 2011 12:00:00 +0100

A limited increase of the distribution prices by taxing excessive returns of solar panels

Mon, 04 Apr 2011 12:00:00 +0100

Skipping a year at school: beyond the myths.

Tue, 29 Mar 2011 12:00:00 +0100

Reforming Belgium’s fiscal system: from necessity to opportunity

Tue, 15 Mar 2011 12:00:00 +0100

Healthcare barometer: Information to the patient: expectations and solutions for the 21st century

Mon, 21 Feb 2011 12:00:00 +0100

Healthcare: how to combine quality, accessibility and effectiveness?

Wed, 09 Feb 2011 12:00:00 +0100

Why are the prices of the cheapest houses increasing the quickest?

Thu, 20 Jan 2011 12:00:00 +0100

Finding the right budgetary path

Tue, 11 Jan 2011 12:00:00 +0100

Looking for 24 000 new homes per year. Does supply follow the yearly increase in demand for housing?

Wed, 15 Dec 2010 12:00:00 +0100

Turning necessity into opportunity: working longer, at last!

Fri, 03 Dec 2010 12:00:00 +0100

Grey gold – How the babyboomers can make eldercare a success story

Mon, 08 Nov 2010 12:00:00 +0100

The Itinera Institute doubts the effectivness of fiscal deduction for green cars

Tue, 02 Nov 2010 12:00:00 +0100

The Itinera Institute doubts the effectivness of fiscal deduction on green cars. It is not efficient fo entice consumers who only drive few kilometers per year to buy extremely efficient, but very expensive vehicles.

What we do ourselves we do better (maybe): What state reform for a better labour market in Belgium?

Mon, 23 Aug 2010 12:00:00 +0100

Football World Cup 2018: economic opportunity or own-goal?

Fri, 06 Aug 2010 12:00:00 +0100

Common-sense and realism have to stop the culture of promises.

Fri, 04 Jun 2010 12:00:00 +0100

Austerity has become the hot topic in the election debate. The voters finally get the debate they deserve, because the budgettary effort for Belgium will be immense. The Itinera Institute analysed the lection programmes from both sides of the linguistic border, and offers her recommendations.

Pensions: Itinera's little red book

Mon, 10 May 2010 12:00:00 +0100

Belgium is not prepared for ageing. There is no need to panic, however, appropriate immediate action is essential. The red book about pensions evaluates the situation and the evolution of the pensions, and recommends a plan to maintain our pension scheme.

Will the green car save the Flemish car assembly industry?

Wed, 28 Apr 2010 12:00:00 +0100

‘The green car can save Opel Antwerp.’ Is this popular statement really making sense? Can policies to support the development of green cars guarantee employment benefits in the short run or is this simply utopian thinking?

The 10 commandments for a succesful Industrial Policy in Belgium

Mon, 15 Mar 2010 12:00:00 +0100

Since we only think about it in times of crisis,Belgium fails in terms of industrial policy. We urgently need to determine the conditions for government support. The Itinera Institute established the 10 commandments for a succesful industrial policy.

Energy Transition: fast track to a greener system?

Tue, 08 Dec 2009 12:00:00 +0100

Can we radically change the global energy system? What tools do we have available for this purpose? Which results will we achieve if we mobilise forces worldwide in order to meet the transition goals? What lessons can be learned from the most complete technological studies? Does the current policy in the western world comply with these lessons?

Sick Funds: new roles in the long run?

Mon, 30 Nov 2009 12:00:00 +0100

François Daue explores a couple of ideas on possible new roles for the sick funds, to ensure a sustainable, accessible and affordable health system.

Obesity, at what price?

Mon, 23 Nov 2009 12:00:00 +0100

In the United States, one out of three adults is obese (BMI>30) and another third of the adult population is overweight (BMI>25). In Belgium, almost half of the adult population is either overweight or obese, compared to one out of five children. The healthcare costs for obesity are rising spectacularly. Obesity represents 10% of the American healthcare expenses or 1,6% of GDP. Budgetary obesity is more important than ageing, and until 2022 that will not change. Obesity is a difficult issue for policy makers. Given that obesity is mainly the consequence of technological developments; a policy that focuses on the food component only is doomed to fail. Experiments with local communities show that programs that intensively promote a healthy lifestyle (healthy food, a lot of physical exercise) can yield encouraging results. The cost of these campaigns could be financed by typical obesity taxes, such as a soft drink tax.

The state of the union is unsufficient!

Tue, 13 Oct 2009 12:00:00 +0100

The Van Rompuy government did the absolute minimum where the budget is concerned.This is not enough. The government. misses long term vision and political courage to achieve structural reform.

Budgetary priorities 2009: Let's get real!

Wed, 23 Sep 2009 12:00:00 +0100

In order to give the next generation a fair chance, it's time to get real.The Itinera Institute sends a clear message:let's do it right!

The day after: what are the regional policy priorities for 2009-2014?

Wed, 10 Jun 2009 12:00:00 +0100

The regional elections of 2009 should be a turning point. Due to the economic crisis, the budgetary crisis and the institutional crisis, Belgian’s regions are faced with new responsibilities. Now that the votes are counted, the multitude of electoral promises can make way for the reality of negotiations. The Itinera Institute determined 7 regional policy priorities and formulated concrete proposals.

Wy there are so few woman in science

Tue, 28 Apr 2009 12:00:00 +0100

The number of female IT specialists, scientists and engineers remains low. The Itinera Institute offers a platform to Carl Van Keirsbilck, who studied the causes, and formulates clear recommendations towards government and education.

New Years Memo 2009: Press Release

Tue, 06 Jan 2009 12:00:00 +0100

The Itinera Institute presents it's NEW YEAR's MEMO 2009, our vision of the policy priorities for the Van Rompuy I Government.We stress the importance of the current legislation, and formulate a list of recommendations for bold, proactive policy choises.

The future of Healthcare: diagnosis and remedies

Tue, 16 Dec 2008 12:00:00 +0100

The Itinera Institute is proud to present it's new book:"The future of Health Care: dariong the diagnosis & treaments" The Belgian Healthcare system possesses numerous assets, but is also seriously threatened by the new challenges of the 21st century.Even if these challenges are numerous,it is not too late to act. But if we do not react on time, we won’t be able to continue to assure the access to care, its quality, while mastering its costs. To guarantee the future of our healthcare system, we suggest a set of concrete and innovative actions for a sustainable system.

Beyond Copernicus: From Confusion to Consensus?: a scenario for an improved public sector

Thu, 30 Oct 2008 12:00:00 +0100

The 2000 Copernicus reform has faded away before flourishing. Belgium has the highest public spending and public employment in the OECD and still the relative quality and quantity of public services remain disappointing. With so many challenges ahead such as globalisation, population aging, the race for talents, the digital revolution, it is urgent to send a wake-up call for a government that is steering and not rowing. Jean Hindriks makes the diagnosis and suggests several “quick wins”.

Slender, obese or unconstrained? An analysis of public employment in Belgium between 2001 and 2007

Thu, 25 Sep 2008 12:00:00 +0100

Public employment did grow by 11.75% in Belgium while the growth of total employment was 6.1%. In Flanders, public employment is bigger than inFlanders How sustainable is this evolution?'

Exceptionally gifted children: A potential to be exploited in Belgium

Tue, 16 Sep 2008 12:00:00 +0100

At the moment, the attention paid to the wasted talents that are the exceptionally gifted children who got through the stitches of the net increases slightly. However, it is still very likely that a large number of them will drop out somehow during the school year 2008-2009. In this report, we develop solutions proposals which rest on a systematic and premature detection. We demonstrate besides that such an investment is profitable on the short run and that there is thus no place for delay on this topic. Even in period of budgetary illness.

Ivan Van de Cloot joins Itinera Institute as Chief Economist

Wed, 18 Jun 2008 12:00:00 +0100

Ivan Van de Cloot, the famous economist who comments regularly on the socioeconomic developments of Belgium, in the press and in diverse publications, has joined the Itinera Institute as chief economist.

Repensons nos pensions

Fri, 30 May 2008 12:00:00 +0100

This Press release is only available in French and Dutch.

How healthy is the Belgian healthcare system?

Tue, 29 Apr 2008 12:00:00 +0100

This Press release is only available in French and Dutch.

'My car, my fiscal contribution'

Fri, 25 Jan 2008 12:00:00 +0100

Not only visitors of the European Motor Show in Brussels but also the Belgian fisc is fond of cars. At the occasion of this two-yearly mass for car lovers, critics point towards unnecessarily powerful engines, the SUV-hype or the 'green propaganda' of the car industry. As a symbol of consumer society, cars are indeed important vehicles of fiscal solidarity. This explains why a radical reform of automobile taxation based upon use instead of power is not on the agenda.

Climate relativism

Mon, 05 Nov 2007 12:00:00 +0100

The future climate change seems the ultimate international theme today. This is the result of a succesful but selective communication strategy. Selectivity however comes at a price. The popular climate story neglects for example the end of the era of cheap fossile energy. A radical change of our energy system - an energy transition - is unavoidable. This transition can generate economic growth and ecological benefits if the government creates a stimulating environment for entrepreneurship in the field of intelligent energy technologies.

Richer but less equal? Is the recent rise in revenue inequalities a statistical construction?

Thu, 25 Oct 2007 12:00:00 +0100

Revenues inequalities are rising in Belgium. This finding is frequently coupled to globalization and the evolution through a knowledge economy in popular media. Is everything said or are there alternative explanations possible?

The report “Richer but less equal. Is the recent raise in revenue inequalities a statistical construction?” concludes that the rise in revenues inequalities seems mainly due to a strong social and fiscal dynamic. Given that the number of fiscal declaration continues rising in Belgium, revenues inequalities based on the Gini coefficient will continue rising without taking into account the classical corrections such as activation programs, bigger benefits or more fiscal progressiveness.

Are the Belgian universities threatened?

Tue, 09 Oct 2007 12:00:00 +0100

The start of the academic year was characterized by the publication of many universities ranking across the world underlying the weak position of Belgian universities. What is the real meaning of these rankings? Jean Hindriks and the Itinera Institute comment on the existing rankings and give perspectives in favour of an investment policy into Belgian universities.

Healthcare and mobility: two priorities for the next federal government

Thu, 16 Aug 2007 12:00:00 +0100

From Job Security to Employment Security on the Belgian labour Market.

Tue, 26 Jun 2007 12:00:00 +0100

Is Denmark the European Employment Champion?

Thu, 07 Dec 2006 12:00:00 +0100

With an official unemployment rate of 4.2%, Denmark apparently performs better than European growth champion Ireland. The low Danish unemployment figure is an essential part of the hyped 'Scandinavian Model'. When we however consider the number of participants in labour market programs as well as people in early retirement schemes, the real unemployment or inactivity in Denmark increases to 15%het ‘Scandinavische model’.

The Ranking of Local Government in Flanders and Wallonia

Fri, 22 Sep 2006 12:00:00 +0100

Belgium is on the eve of local elections. A citizen’s vote is often influenced by subjective factors whilst not being influenced by all objective factors. Moreover, at local level it is often difficult for the electorate to compare the performances of different cities or towns. The Itinera Institute offers a ranking which compares the performances of cities and towns through a string of objective parameters.

Supreme Belgium?

Fri, 04 Aug 2006 12:00:00 +0100

Belgian public opinion has recently been bombarded with victory declarations on the Belgian economy and employment. Marc De Vos and Jean Hindriks explain that the current growth figures appear to be more cyclical than structural. They offer little guarantee for the future and therefore cannot be an alibi to postpone necessary structural reforms. Read press release in French or Dutch.

The National Lottery As a Redistribution Mechanism: Who Are the Real Winners?

Thu, 01 Jun 2006 12:00:00 +0100

The Belgian government seeks to reform the National Lottery to ensure that “more people win more”. This charm offensive is associated with the socalled social image of the Lotto. However, in reality the impact of a national lottery is far from social. This Nota examines the adverse and antisocial effects of national lotteries and gambling.

Competitiveness: the Ultimate Economic Theme for 2006?

Fri, 19 May 2006 12:00:00 +0100

The competitiveness of the Belgian economy seems to be endangered. To safeguard our international competitiveness, the social partners want to elaborate control mechanisms securing that the evolution of the Belgian wage cost resembles the trends in our neighboring countries. This particular wage cost policy will probably not impact the Belgian unemployment rate of 12.3% because our fiscal system continues to price labor out of the market, and this observation also holds for labor that is not exposed to international competition. Our future welfare level will be determined by the successful integration in our economy of economically non-active groups and of the evolution of labor productivity. Therefore we need fundamental reforms. The focus on industrial wages in our neighboring countries risks crowding out concerns for essential reforms.

Launch of the Itinera Institute

Mon, 13 Mar 2006 12:00:00 +0100

The 13th of March 2006 will see the official launch of the Itinera Institute.

The Itinera Institute is a truly independent, professional and non-partisan think-tank that seeks to identify roads to policy reform that ensure sustained economic growth and social protection in this part of the world.