INESS

INESS, the Institute of Economic and Social Studies, began its activities in January 2006. As an independent think tank, INESS monitors the functioning and financing of the public sector, evaluates the effects of legislative changes on the economy and society and comments on current economic and social issues.

Economy

Minimum Wage in Slovakia Going Wild

BY Robert Chovanculiak AND INESS / September 18, 2019

In Slovakia, the minimum wage has become a political evergreen of every autumn. However, its growth has been rapidly increasing in recent years. Moreover, the former Slovak prime minister has proposed a new law, which will set the minimum wage at 60% of an average wage of the previous year.

Think Tank News

Slovak High School Students Won International Economics Olympiad

BY INESS AND Monika Budzak / September 14, 2019

On September 10, 2019, the first international finale of the Economics Olympiad took place in the Czech national bank in Prague. Slovakia was excellently represented by five students from whom two reached the first two medal positions.

Politics

Brexit: Is There a British Strategy?

BY INESS / September 6, 2019

INESS organized an interesting public lecture during summer season. On August 6, 2019, Dr. Sean Gabb delivered a speech on Brexit and British strategy in Bratislava. Below you can read the outline of the lecture, accompanied by the video.

Society

Policy Win: Fight for Cheaper (and Less) License Plates in Slovakia

BY Martin Vlachynsky AND INESS / September 2, 2019

In Slovakia, one of the least popular offices is the Police Traffic Inspectorate, and, more specifically, the Vehicle Registration Department. Yes, you read it correctly – Slovakia is one of three countries in EU28 where the vehicle registry agenda is fully run by the police.

Economy

How Much Does Slovak Family Receive in Benefits?

BY INESS / August 20, 2019

In Slovakia, non-monetary transfers are often forgotten due to the contributions system – this is set up so that only self-employed know, with exaggeration, how expensive it is. Most employees have no idea that the employer pays an additional 35% to their gross wage.

Society

INESS Publishes New Index: Health for Money

BY Martin Vlachynsky AND INESS / July 29, 2019

INESS created a brand new index called Health for Money, which rates healthcare in 26 countries, having also money in focus. The index touches also academia, measuring number of quotable medical papers from the country, or international rankings of faculties of medicine.

Society

Land Consolidation in Slovakia: Chance for Real Reform

BY Monika Budzak AND INESS / May 22, 2019

Crumbled and scattered parcels, inaccessible fields, frauds with farming subsidies, and problems with floods and droughts – this is the reality of Slovak agriculture. Extreme fragmentation makes it impossible to use land efficiently.

Think Tank News

Economics Olympiad Identifies Best Young Economists in Slovakia

BY Monika Budzak AND INESS / May 22, 2019

The Economics Olympiad was launched in 2017 with a participation of 4,000 high school students. This year, the competition enjoyed even more popularity with more than 5,300 contestants overall.

Economy

Bitter Slovak Tax on Sugar

BY INESS / May 22, 2019

In the beginning of 2019, the governmental Institute of Financial Policy (IFP) came with the issue of tax on sugar. However, we believe that in this case once again, the tax discussion precedes the discussion about the core problem - obesity. Therefore, INESS prepared a new publication entitled \"Bitter Tax on Sugar\".

Economy

Retailer Tax in Slovakia Abolished

BY Martin Vlachynsky AND INESS / April 26, 2019

Several East European countries have been flirting with various forms of a “retailer tax”. A tax similar (but not equal) to VAT, or the sales tax. Its proclaimed aim is typically to “punish” international retail chains, which have been repeatedly blamed for problems of local farmers and local food and beverages industry.