Recent Developments in the CMEA Countries and Yugoslavia

The tumbling of Socialist regimes in the CMEA countries in 1989 was accompanied by a decline in national incomes, accelerating inflation, growing budget deficits and mounting foreign debt. The slowdown in economic growth, while following a long-term trend marked by structural deficiencies, technological lags and low work incentives, was exacerbated by the flight of hundred-thousands of people from Bulgaria and the GDR as well as sluggish exports to the West of some countries compelling them to restrain imports. The transition to market economies now getting under way will almost inevitably lead through a period of recession and high unemployment.