Economic Archive

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  MEASURING REGIONAL ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITIES: A NEW APPROACH THROUGH THE REGIONAL ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITIES INDEX AND THE REGIONAL DEFICIT COEFFICIENT

  This study proposes a new approach for measuring regional economic disparities using the Regional Deficit Coefficient (RDC), a measure based on the Regional Economic Opportunity Index (REOI) developed by the author and the National Economic Opportunity Index (NEOI). Unlike other existing indicators, the model measures the extent to which the ... This study proposes a new approach for measuring regional economic disparities using the Regional Deficit Coefficient (RDC), a measure based on the Regional Economic Opportunity Index (REOI) developed by the author and the National Economic Opportunity Index (NEOI). Unlike other existing indicators, the model measures the extent to which the regional environ¬ment creates or constrains the economic opportunities for realization of human capital. The REOI is calculated using the geometric mean of four components – income, employment, education, and healthcare – while the RDC measures the deviation of each region from the national level. The results show that the regional environment is closely linked to the economic opportunities available to the population. This suggests that even when people have similar levels of education, qualifications, and labor poten-tial, they may have different opportunities for professional development and human capital accumulation depending on the region in which they live and work.

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  FISCAL AND DISTRIBUTIONAL EFFECTS OF THE CHANGE IN THE SOCIAL SECURITY MODEL FOR CIVIL SERVANTS IN BULGARIA

  This study analyses the fiscal and distributional effects of the phased introduction of personal social insurance contributions for civil servants under the Civil Servants Act (CSA) and for employees under the Judiciary Act (JA). The main argument is that the regulatory change should not be assessed through the formal transfer of part of the ... This study analyses the fiscal and distributional effects of the phased introduction of personal social insurance contributions for civil servants under the Civil Servants Act (CSA) and for employees under the Judiciary Act (JA). The main argument is that the regulatory change should not be assessed through the formal transfer of part of the social insurance contribution to the employee, but rather through the actual economic incidence and the net effect on the consolidated public sector. When net income is preserved through an increase in gross remuneration, a gross-up effect on wages arises, which limits the immediate fiscal savings and changes the distribution of flows among the state budget, the State Social Insurance system, the National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF), universal pensions funds (UPF), and households. Three scenarios are considered: no compensation; full compensation of net income; and com¬pensation within a constrained personnel budget. The analysis shows that the first scenario produces the clearest direct budgetary effect, but through a reduction in employees’ disposable income, whereas under full compensation the reform is primarily of an institutional and distributional character. Over the medium term, the fiscal outcome depends on the rules governing remuneration indexation, staff numbers, the maximum insurable income, and the manner in which the technical compensation is incorporated into the future wage base.

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  GREEN BANKING AS A CATALYST FOR SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT – EVIDENCE FROM THE BANKING SECTOR

  This article examines the role of green banking as a catalyst for sustainable development, with particular attention to the global banking sector. A mixed-methods, desk-based research design is employed. The quantitative component synthesizes secondary evidence concerning global climate-finance flows, green and sustainable bond markets, financial ... This article examines the role of green banking as a catalyst for sustainable development, with particular attention to the global banking sector. A mixed-methods, desk-based research design is employed. The quantitative component synthesizes secondary evidence concerning global climate-finance flows, green and sustainable bond markets, financial inclusion and the development of sustainable banking practices. The qualitative component analyses academic literature, international banking frameworks, regulatory developments and evidence from banking-sector practices. The findings indicate that green banking can contribute to sustainable development through several mutually reinforcing channels: allocation of credit to low-carbon and environmentally beneficial activities; integration of environmental and climate risks into credit decisions; development of green financial products; Digitali¬zation and operational efficiency; financial inclusion; and mobilization of private capital. The article argues that the catalytic potential of green banking is greatest when sustainability is integrated into core banking strategy, risk management, lending decisions and performance measurement rather than treated as a separate corporate social responsibility activity. Effective regulation, credible disclosure standards, blended finance, digital innovation and transparent impact measurement are therefore necessary to transform green banking commitments into measurable sustainable-development outcomes.