Destaques

The aim of this policy paper is to identify and discuss the main methodology issues involved in  the evaluation of different dimensions of poverty and living conditions in the context of the construction of an Intergenerational Justice Index (IJI) while endeavouring to answer the question “What future are we leaving to the next generations in terms of poverty level and living conditions?”.The relationship between (a multidimensional definition of) poverty and Intergenerational Justice (IJ) is discussed in detail, widening the traditional view of short-term poverty and long-term IJ problem with an integrated approach. The latter acknowledges that higher levels of poverty…

This paper develops an index to assess intergenerational justice in the domain of environment and natural resources in Portugal. Given the conceptual and operational challenges associated with directly measuring intergenerational justice, the analysis adopts a strong sustainability perspective, focusing on whether current environmental trajectories are consistent with preserving natural capital for future generations. The proposed framework interprets long-term policy targets as implicit intergenerational social contracts and evaluates performance relative to these benchmarks.The index is constructed using a parsimonious set of indicators covering five key dimensions: climate change, forests and biodiversity, circular economy, water pollution, and freshwater consumption. These indicators are…

This policy paper presents an index of intergenerational justice in the field of housing in Portugal, built using OECD and ICOR/EU‑SILC data and covering the period between 2016 and 2023. The index is structured into four sub‑dimensions: (1) affordability; (2) housing cost overburden; (3) independence; and (4) housing conditions.Affordability assesses the financial effort required from households, measured through the ratio between housing prices and disposable income. Housing cost overburden corresponds to the share of individuals, in each age group, living in households where expenses with rent, mortgage interest, maintenance, water, electricity, gas, sewage, and taxes represent 40% or more of…

As part of the Intergenerational Justice Index, Policy Paper 39 further develops a tool designed to monitor the evolution of intergenerational justice in Portugal, with a particular focus on healthcare.Authored by Aida Isabel Tavares, the policy paper clarifies the concept of intergenerational health as the stock of health shaped over time and proposes indicators assessing quality and quantity of life, access to healthcare, and public expenditure.Read the full policy paper here

Policy Paper 40 examines the evolution of the European Union’s budgetary framework from the 2021–2027 Multiannual Financial Framework to the proposed 2028–2034 cycle, highlighting the transformations driven by the COVID-19 crisis, Next Generation EU, and the Union’s emerging strategic priorities. The paper analyses the growing emphasis on competitiveness, innovation, defence, and the green and digital transitions, while also addressing the governance, implementation, and territorial cohesion challenges associated with the EU’s new performance-based funding model. It further presents recommendations for Southern European Member States and EU institutions, advocating a balanced approach that reconciles competitiveness with solidarity and regional development within the…

This policy paper examines one of the key structural challenges to fiscal consolidation in Portugal: the rigidity of public expenditure, with a particular focus on the public sector wage bill. Against the backdrop of fiscal normalization under high debt and constrained policy space, the analysis explores how wage-bill dynamics shape the pace, composition, and sustainability of fiscal adjustment. Drawing on recent empirical evidence and the Portuguese experience, the paper highlights the limitations of short-term, crisis-driven measures and argues for durable structural reforms in public employment and pay-setting frameworks to support credible and growth-friendly consolidation.Read the Policy Paper here.About the Institute…