Financial Restraints in a Mature Welfare State--The Case of Denmark
以丹麦为例，分析了成熟福利国家面临的人口变化和增长困境两大金融挑战，指出增长困境比人口挑战更难在不违背福利国家原则的前提下解决。
The Scandinavian welfare states are mature in the sense of having a high level of standards for public provisions of welfare services as well as a high replacement level for income transfers, especially for low-income groups. In this welfare model, individuals have basic rights to welfare services and social transfers independently of their ability to pay, their labour-market history, etc. The financial viability of the model relies on a high tax burden and a high level of labour-force participation for males and females. Evaluated on the basis of international comparisons of income levels and inequality, the model has performed well. In a forward-looking perspective, however, the welfare model faces problems that may put the financial viability of the model at risk. Two important challenges are demographic changes and the so-called growth dilemma (increased demand for services and leisure). We discuss these issues using Denmark as an example and argue that while these two challenges may be of the same order of magnitude, it is easier to propose solutions to the demographic challenges than to the growth dilemma which are consistent with the basic principles of the welfare state.