This post explores the now freely available World Development Indicators, from the World Bank. In particular, it looks at urbanisation and the role for cities in development and creating wealth and well-being. Over the past 50 years, China in particular has urbanised fast. Over the next 50, India may be the centre of city growth. This presents development challenges but on balance is a huge opportunity. Read more
This post launches a rent-or-buy calculator that allows people to put in their own details, including assumptions about interest rates and growth in house prices and rents over the coming decades, and compares their wealth at the end of the period if they rented or bought. It also discusses some of the assumptions underpinning the calculator and answers to FAQs about it. Read more
This post examines Fintan O’Toole’s claim that the bank bailout has reduced Irish people to serfdom. In particular, it challenges the notion that the bank bailout is Ireland’s biggest economic problem, by comparing it to the budget deficit (and the national debt). It also challenges the idea that Ireland has no economic future and gives five grounds for optimism about those “lucky enough” to work in Ireland over the coming decade. Read more
This post reviews the latest Daft Report, released this morning, which finds that asking prices are one third below their peak on average. Of encouragement to all parties is the high levels of transactions, with one in three properties posted in January either sold or sale agreed already. It also discusses Brian Lucey’s commentary, which outlines implications for NAMA. Read more