Raising Corporate Tax Will Hamper Growth

According to a position paper by the Jerusalem Institute for Market Studies (JIMS), the corporate tax rate in Israel is higher than in similar-sized countries such as Sweden, Finland and Switzerland, and does not account for the disadvantages of the business environment for foreign investors

The one percent rise in corporate tax rate planned by the Ministry of Finance will hamper economic growth more than cuts in the government's budget or a rise in other taxes, says a new study by JIMS. According to a position paper the Institute published, an increase in the corporate tax rate may create a significant gap in corporate tax rates between Israel and countries with similar characteristics.

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"What is Seen and What is Unseen" Translated to Hebrew

Fredric Bastiat

Frederic Bastiat's writings are known for the clear and humorous way in which they explain the basic principles of economics. Now, the Jerusalem Institute for Market Studies (JIMS) brings for the first time Bastiat's classics to the Hebrew reader.

To buy the e-book (in Hebrew)

To buy the hard copy (in Hebrew)

Helping the Poor Begins with Measuring Poverty Accurately

The Jerusalem Institute for Market Studies (JIMS) recommends transferring the responsibility for national poverty measurement from the Institute for National Insurance (Bituach Leumi) to a more objective institution, such as the Central Bureau of Statistics or the Bank of Israel. JIMS notes several problems in the information recently published by Bituach Leumi in its annual "Report on the dimensions of poverty and social inequalities" for 2011.

"The report does not provide a reliable picture that policymakers can use to develop the most efficient policy to tackle poverty," says Yarden Gazit, a JIMS research fellow who authored the paper.

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Employment for Israeli Seniors Worth a Potential NIS 6.4 Billion

Approximately 30 percent of senior citizens in Israel who are not working are able to work, and their net total employment would be worth NIS 6.4 billion in income, according to a new study by the Jerusalem Institute for Market Studies (JIMS).

"The agenda in Israel is focused on raising the employment rate in the Haredi and Arab sectors, or in the whole country. Senior citizens are ignored, though many of them want to work and many of them were working until they were forced or encouraged not to," said Keren Harel-Harari.

The study, "Senior Citizens: A Great Unexploited Reservoir of Human Resources," was authored by JIMS analysts Keren Harel-Harari and Zev Golan.

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Israel's "Sports Law" Lowers Chance for Olympic Medals

On the eve of the opening of the London Olympic Games, the Jerusalem Institute for Market Studies (JIMS) issued a report concluding that the Israeli Sports Law reduces the potential for winning future Olympic medals. According to JIMS, the Sports Law sets unnecessary obstacles and barriers to participation in competitive sports, especially for children and in the periphery.
According to JIMS Research Fellow Yarden Gazit, author of the report, "An international comparison reveals that the Israeli Sports Law is one of the strictest and severest in the developed world, while the number of athletes per capita is the lowest in the West."

According to Gazit, "Israeli regulations require parents to pay hundreds of shekels every year for medical examinations whose value and efficiency are doubtful and have never been tested in Israel, and for insurance policies providing double coverage to people already covered. As a result, the number of children competing in sports declines."

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