Economics help blog – Page 193

Global Health Care Costs

22 January 202013 November 2012 by Tejvan Pettinger

A look at the contradiction between health care spending and actual treatment. The US which spends more on private sector health care spending, still also has one of the highest levels of government spending on health care per capita. Furthermore, health care costs continue to rise, and place one of the greatest strains on government spending commitments in the developed world.

total health care spending - list of countries

This graph shows total health care expenditure (including both public and private spending). The biggest spender by a long way is the US, which spends over $8,000 per capita. This compares to less than $3,000 per capita for Italy, Greece and Portugal.

Hospital Beds per 1,000 Population density

hospital-beds

Admittedly, the number of hospital beds per 1,000 of the population is not a comprehensive guide to the quality of health care. But, it is still interesting that the US has one of the lowest numbers of hospital beds per 1,000 (3.1) – despite the much higher total spending. Japan has the highest number of hospital beds at 13.7/1000 – yet quite a modest total health care bill.

On other measures, US seems to get poor performance from its spending.

	% of health care spending as % of GDP	Govt spending as % of total health care	Per Capita expenditure 2006 (PPP)	Doctors per 10,000 population	Nurses / midwives per 10,000	Hospital beds per 10,000	Life Expectancy	male obesity
UK	8.2	87.3	2815	23	128	39	80	22%
US	15.3	45.3	6719	26	94	31	78	31%

US v UK health care costs)

Rising Health Care Costs

source: KFF

UK Construction Sector Growth Stats 2012

22 January 202012 November 2012 by Tejvan Pettinger

The UK construction sector remains largely depressed with construction volumes still below pre-recession levels.

In headline figures produced by the ONS, the estimated level of the total volume of construction output in the third quarter of 2012 was the lowest since the second quarter of 1999.

The construction sector is one of the most volatile sectors in the economy, and can be seen as a barometer for the wider economy and economic performance. Although there are signs of some recovery in infrastructure investment, the current outlook looks pessimistic for future economic recovery.

The annual growth of construction volumes mirrors the double dip recession. (economic growth)

The fall in construction during the 2008/09 recession was greater than the previous recession during 1991. Note the boom in construction during the late 1980s was much greater than the limited growth between 2005-08.

Recently, the biggest falls have been in the private industrial and private commercial sectors of construction.

Could US Make Same Mistakes as Europe?

18 November 20179 November 2012 by Tejvan Pettinger

In 2009, US and EU unemployment rates both stood at 10% – but since then EU unemployment has increased to 12% and US unemployment fallen to 7.9%. (see: US v EU unemployment)

These contrasting fortunes in unemployment are a reflection of diverging rates of economic growth. Whilst, Europe has entered a double dip recession, the US has experienced a sustained economic recovery. It is also a reflection of different economic policy – the EU has become obsessed with reducing budget deficits, the US has given more focus to promoting economic recovery.

recession

However, in the face of concerns over levels of US government borrowing and impending debt ceilings, many in the US are pushing for a rapid fiscal consolidation.

But is US austerity necessary? and what will be the impact of austerity on a) the budget deficit and b) economic growth c) long-term structural spending and debt commitments?

Is Austerity Necessary in US?

total us debt

Total Federal Debt increased to 101% of GDP in Q2 2012. It is a sharp increase since 2008, when debt was just over 60% of GDP. But, this is to be expected in a recession as deep as past recession.

Broadband Statistics in UK and Rest of World

18 November 20178 November 2012 by Tejvan Pettinger

Broadband access in the UK. Also showing different access points to broadband.

In the space of less than 10 years, Broadband access has come to be seen as a vital public amenity. It is used for business, retail and is increasingly seen as one of the factors which can show the degree of economic development in an economy.

Also, in a fast moving market, there has been a strong growth of mobile broadband, as people increasingly check the internet from their own smart phones. With 20% of UK households still not receiving broadband, the government has announced policy measures to support the rolling out of broadband in rural areas.

Why Do People Not Notice Economic Growth?

20 January 20208 November 2012 by Tejvan Pettinger

Readers Question: why does economic growth not get noticed by the man on the street?

Recently, the ONS released a report saying that real wages were 62% higher than in 1986. This is the result of sustained economic growth. (Real wages take into account inflation.)
In April 2011 the average full-time employee in the UK earned around £12.62 per hour excluding overtime.
This is a monetary (nominal) increase of 226% since 1986 when the average wage was £3.87 per hour.

Inequality of Real Income growth

The top 1 per cent had the biggest increase between 1986 and 2011, at 117%
The top 10 per cent saw an increase of 81%
The bottom 10 per cent had a 47 % increase.
The very poorest did better, with the lowest 1 per cent having a 70% increase.

However, in the period 2007-11, all income groups have seen a fall in real wages as nominal wage growth has failed to keep up with inflation.

real GDP

If we asked people do they feel better off than 1986, it is hard to know what people would say. I’m sure some would feel better off, but many may reply they don’t. Why don’t people notice economic growth? Some possible reasons:

Economic Growth and living standards. Economic growth measures the increase in real GDP (real output, real incomes). However, GDP is often a poor reflection of living standards and peoples sense of well being. For example, despite rising real incomes, people may not feel as well off. This could be because:
- Quality of life diminished by pollution or increased congestion
- Increased fear of crime that may occur with economic growth. (Ironically, with more income, people have more to lose. Crime rates are higher in the UK, than in the 1930s – a period of greater poverty)
- see also: difficulty in measuring living standards
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US Fiscal Cliff Explained

18 November 20177 November 2012 by Tejvan Pettinger

One of the most talked about issues in US politics is the US fiscal cliff.

The fiscal cliff refers to the situation at the end of 2012, where a series of tax increases and spending cuts (worth $600bn) are due to come into force automatically. This amounts to This will reduce the budget deficit, but cause lower growth. The alternative is to reject these planned budget cuts and allow the deficit to continue to grow. This will allow stronger economic growth, but leave the debt issue unchallenged.

A complicating factor for US politics is the debt ceiling. This is the legal amount by how much the government can borrow. The debt ceiling can be raised, but it has to go through the Senate to be voted on. This gives scope for political wrangling and efforts to push for some favoured spending cuts in return for allowing debt ceiling to be raised.

The debt ceiling was raised on January 30, 2012, to a new high of $16.394 trillion.

American Election Economics

18 November 20177 November 2012 by Tejvan Pettinger

I only take a passing interest in American politics. I’m just grateful not to live in Ohio, where voters have been subject to hours and hours of political ad campaigns. According to a newsnight presenter, if the 150,000 ads were all lined up, they would last for four consecutive days. (although I’m sure that would constitute cruel and unusual punishment. I think I’d talk after the first six hours). I’ve never seen an American political ad, but I doubt they explain the nuances of balance sheet recessions, liquidity traps and the optimal way to reduce debt to GDP ratios without con straining economic recovery.

But, despite economics being somewhat in the background, the re-election of Obama could be seen as a political confirmation that:

The recession was the result of the financial excesses in the lead up to 2008 – and not really the present administration.

Overcoming this unique balance sheet recession was always going to be difficult and long process. The US has performed moderately – but much better than many of its fellow countries. To some extent Obama deserves credit for allowing a recovery – even if it could have been stronger.

In a country which loves the laissez faire ideal like no others, it’s interesting to still see solid support for the idea that government intervention can actually make markets work more efficiently. Obama supported the rescue of the automobile industry with government money. Romney opposed the use of federal funds. The bailout was a success, so it’s only fair Obama did well in the ‘rust belt’ north. Even the hurricane Sandy is a reminder that for real crisis, government rescue funds can play an invaluable role. Recent years have been a reminder that the highest ideal of government is not just to reduce taxes on the rich.

Does Disaster Relief Provide Economic Stimulus?

18 November 20176 November 2012 by Tejvan Pettinger

Readers Question: “Is it a fallacy to assume that Super-storm Sandy will promote growth and, if so, why?”

In the aftermath of a natural disaster, such as hurricane ‘Sandy’ which recently hit New York and New Jersey. there is usually a fairly minimal impact on GDP.

The devastation by the storm has cost something in the region of $30 billion to $50 billion in economic losses. This approximates to around 0.25% of nominal US GDP. These economic losses include:

Damage to property, assets, infrastructure and factories.
Lost output because people can’t work. If affected areas lose 25% of output for two days, this would add up to around $6billion of GDP.
Lost tax from lower revenues.

The worst losses will not be visible in GDP statistics because much of the damage has come to wealth as opposed to output. In this case, GDP statistics are not a true reflection of living standards because of their focus on output and income – as opposed to wealth.