ABSTRACT
By the early 21st century, the post-socialist economies of Eastern Europe and the former Soviet Union are independent nation states. This is no small feat, as history reminds us. Evidence on foreign direct investment, another dimension towards economic growth and competitiveness, also suggests a concern. Among the immediate impacts of the 1990s macroeconomic transition on social welfare was visible worsening in the life expectancy. Life expectancy at birth is a critical indicator of social well-being and is routinely brought up in cross-country comparisons. Focus on the challenges to the changing role of women in the post-socialist world has been high on the agenda of researchers and policymakers. In a consolidated analysis across the CEE and international data, Metcalfe and Afanassieva find that the share of women in management roles across transition countries has been gradually eroding. A direct outcome of the controversies of the early transition years has been the emergence of shadow economies in the CEE/FSU region.
