ABSTRACT
This chapter describes some of the changes occurring in public programs. It provides some background to explain why the governments and public policy experts believe these changes are necessary and why the industrialized countries are especially influenced. The social protection schemes of several countries, particularly those of many industrialized countries, continue to be adversely affected by a number of converging financial and other pressures. Many economists argue that higher taxes lead to a growth in unemployment and increased demands for old-age and disability pensions. The public programs of the industrialized countries have been increasingly buffeted by a variety of pressures that are a result of many highly inter-related factors. New Zealand is struggling with official unemployment rates in the double-digits and which many say seriously under-reports the true picture particularly for young people who may have virtually given up job-seeking.
