Latest news and press releases
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VATT in the 2000s: Financial crisis, sustainability gap and changes in the research landscape
News 10.3.2020
During Seija Ilmakunnas’ term as director general VATT transformed into an academic research institute. “Sound economic policy advice and good policy preparation can only be based on quality research”, she sums up the need for the transformation.
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Lower corporate tax rate did not increase investments by small firms
Press release 6.3.2020
The 2014 corporate tax cut did not increase investments, but it did boost the overall business activity of small firms in Finland. A new study by VATT also shows a clear increase in sales.
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Academic prestige abroad, trusted at home – international evaluation of the VATT Institute for Economic Research completed
Press release 14.2.2020
An external evaluation panel examined the scientific level of the research conducted by VATT, as well as its societal impact. “It is extremely rewarding to have such an esteemed panel commend us for our success in research work”, says Director General Anni Huhtala.
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Shortening the period of extended unemployment benefits increases employment among older workers
Press release 29.1.2020
A reform in 2005 postponed access to extended unemployment benefits by two years for workers born in 1950 or later. Researchers at VATT estimate that the reform increased employment over the remaining working career by 7 months and net payments to society by 500 million euros for workers born in ...
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Economic Policy Council's 2019 report: Loose fiscal policy lacks a proper plan for sustainability
Press release 29.1.2020
Finnish government’s fiscal policy is moderately expansive when compared to a path with no policy changes. Given the fact that there are also long-term reasons to consolidate public finances, the fiscal policy stance can be considered too lax.
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The early days of VATT: Welfare state assessment during the great Finnish depression and the Nokia boom years
News 23.1.2020
Reino Hjerppe was the first Director General of the VATT Institute for Economic Research. He led the institute for sixteen years from the worst years of the great Finnish depression in the 1990’s, through the EU membership discussions to the boom years of Nokia. These were also years of fast-pace...
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Call for papers: Helsinki Economics of Crime Workshop 8.-9.6.2020
News 12.12.2019
The Helsinki Economics of Crime Workshop will take place on 8.-9. June 2020. We invite scholars in the economics of crime field to submit a paper for the workshop.
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Joel Slemrod praises Finnish research and collaboration with Finnish authorities
News 26.11.2019
In an open letter to Finnish audience, distinguished American tax economist professor Joel Slemrod commends the quality of Finnish research in public finance and research collaboration with Finnish authorities. He also encourages Finnish authorities to be more innovative about using third party i...
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Report: Harmonisation of energy taxation would reduce emissions
News 22.10.2019
According to the researchers’ assessment, greenhouse gas emissions from energy production would be significantly reduced if Finland were to abolish energy tax subsidies for fossil fuels
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C-sections affect children’s health less than previously assumed
Press release 17.10.2019
Conventional wisdom in medicine associates cesarean sections to a wide variety of adverse short- and long-term health outcomes. However, a new study suggests that potentially avoidable unplanned cesarean sections increase the risk of asthma, but not the risk of other immune-mediated disorders pre...
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Invisible tasks – Explaining the gender pay gap within occupations
Press release 10.10.2019
Women consistently report performing tasks that are characteristic for their occupation less frequently than men. This task gap reduces the measured productivity of women and explains the difference in hourly wages between men and women with the same job titles.
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Study: Information about intensified tax enforcement increases rental income tax reporting
Press release 3.10.2019 Study: Information about intensified tax enforcement increases rental income tax reporting
A study by VATT Institute for Economic Research (VATT), Labour Institute for Economic Research (PT) and Finnish Tax Administration provides evidence that some landlords in Finland fail to declare rental income correctly. Reporting behaviour can be influenced by providing information about tax rep...
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VATT Day 3 Oct 2019: Good Nordic tax payers?
News 2.10.2019
Are Nordic tax payers more compliant by nature or is the high rate of tax compliance the result of a seamless tax system? How can we observe tax evasion and avoidance? And, how can we effectively address these issues?
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Study: Firms are not interested in bidding for public procurement contracts
Press release 11.4.2019
Competitive tendering is used to ensure the efficient use of public funds. However, according to a recent study by researchers at VATT and Aalto university, public procurement in Finland is characterized by a lack of genuine competition with most tenders only attracting 0-2 bids.
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Study: electronic prescribing can increase medication overuse
Press release 4.4.2019
Electronic prescribing (e-prescribing) improves medication access by making it easier for patients to order repeat medication. A new study from researchers at the VATT Institute for Economic Research, University of Jyväskylä, University of Turku, and University of Pennsylvania, shows that e-presc...