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The Unofficial Economy in Croatia : Causes, Size and Consequences

Author

Listed:
  • Ivo Bicanic

    (University of Zagreb)

  • Katarina Ott

    (Institute of Public Finance)

Abstract

In all economies, there is a part which is not included in the official economy, in other words, economic activities not included in the official statistics. The size of the unofficial economy in the Republic of Croatia was probably at least 25% of GDP in 1995. Two periods can be clearly distinguished between 1990 and 1996. During the first period up to 1993, all available data indicate that the size of the unofficial economy increased in relation to GDP. The second period began in 1994 and it is not possible to make a final judgement because despite the fact that a majority of indicators suggest a fall, some particularly important indicators point to an increase in the size of the unofficial economy. The calculated size of the unofficial economy in relation to GDP (25%) is large and will probably remain so in the foreseeable future because the inherited tradition, the transition with intensified sectoral and institutional restructuring, the large state influence in the economy, especially in privatisation along with the tax pressure, the recovery of growth and new enterprise, only support the unofficial economy. Economic policy aimed at suppressing the unofficial economy must: 1) reduce taxes and customs duties (to the extent permitted by the state budget); 2) selectively reduce regulation; 3) reduce the role of the public sector and the presence of the state in the economy while liberalising the economy; 4) better estimate the size of the unofficial economy within the overall economy and in individual sectors.

Suggested Citation

  • Ivo Bicanic & Katarina Ott, 1997. "The Unofficial Economy in Croatia : Causes, Size and Consequences," Occasional paper series 03, Institute of Public Finance.
    • Handle: RePEc:ipf:occasi:3
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    Cited by:

    1. MAURIN Alain & SOOKRAM Sandra & WATSON Patrick Kent, 2010. "Measuring the Size of the Hidden Economy in Trinidad & Tobago," EcoMod2003 330700098, EcoMod.
    2. Predrag Bejakovic & Alastair McAuley, 1999. "Welfare Policy and Social Transfers in Croatia," Occasional paper series 08, Institute of Public Finance.
    3. Katarina Ott, 2002. "The Underground Economy in Croatia," Occasional paper series 12, Institute of Public Finance.
    4. Aleksandar Stulhofer & Ivan Rimac, 2002. "Opportunism, Institutions and Moral Costs: the Socio-Cultural Dimension of the Underground Economy in Croatia 1995-1999," Occasional paper series 14, Institute of Public Finance.
    5. Natasha Trajkova Najdovska & Monika Angeloska Dichovska, 2017. "Stylized Economic Facts Of Transition," Annals - Economy Series, Constantin Brancusi University, Faculty of Economics, vol. 6, pages 4-17, December.
    6. Fenyvesi, Éva & Vágány, Judit Bernadett, 2020. "A rejtett gazdaság néhány területének szisztematikus szakirodalmi áttekintése [A systematic literature review of some areas of the hidden economy]," Közgazdasági Szemle (Economic Review - monthly of the Hungarian Academy of Sciences), Közgazdasági Szemle Alapítvány (Economic Review Foundation), vol. 0(5), pages 512-532.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    informal sector;

    JEL classification:

    • O17 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Economic Development - - - Formal and Informal Sectors; Shadow Economy; Institutional Arrangements

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