Vladimer Glonti

Introduction. Despite macroeconomic improvements, Georgia has faced a persistent negative demographic dividend that has held back economic growth over the past two decades. This study combines dependency ratios, unemployment, self-employment, and informal employment characteristics using an innovative algorithm. Considering its unique informal sector, this approach provides a more realistic picture of Georgia’s demographic and economic dynamics. Aim and tasks. This study aims to empirically assess the impact of the demographic situation in Georgia on labour market dynamics and the socio-economic transition using a modified algorithm, regression analysis, and CGE modelling to identify necessary reforms and develop evidence-based policy recommendations to facilitate the realisation of the demographic dividend. Results. The study confirms that, despite GDP and wage growth, Georgia has experienced a persistently negative demographic dividend over the past two decades. Traditional dependency ratios fail to reflect the specifics of Georgia’s highly informal and underemployed labour market. Regression analysis and the Granger causality test show that dependent unemployment and cost increases are the key drivers behind the negative trend. Empirical data show a decline in net demographic returns: -€35.96 million (2002-2012) and -€89.91 million (2013-2023), indicating that employees are unable to pay dependent expenses, especially in 2022. Regression (R² = 96%) confirmed the negative impact of dependency burden and expenses, while the falling birth rate had only a weak offsetting effect. Granger tests revealed that the size of the dependent population, food expenditures and mortality rates predict future dividend values, confirming the relevance of the planning model. Evidence strongly suggests that without structural reforms in labour, social, and health policies and productivity boosts, Georgia’s demographic trends will continue to hinder economic growth rather than support it. Conclusions. The study concludes that without targeted reforms in the labour market, healthcare, and economic planning, Georgia will not be able to turn demographic changes into economic benefits. The presented model emphasises the influence of demographic factors on socio-economic development and the importance of aligning demographic trends with effective economic policies.

Insurance companies form their own business models based on the interests of stakeholders. Changes in business models are due to the impact of COVID-19, deepening digitalization and customer orientation. Accordingly, the aim of the study is to systematize the approaches to business models of insurance companies using emerging market country (Ukraine) as an example, and to show the change in a business model according to the CANVAS approach under the influence pandemic. In accordance with the purpose of the study, business models of insurance companies were systematized and grouped into blocks: value-based, structural, complex, and strategic. The strategic block identifies strategic changes in the activities of insurance companies and reflects trends on the insurance market. With this in mind, business models of insurance companies should reflect the set of strategic decisions, their architecture, structure and facilitate the management of value creation operations on the insurance market. Business models have changed from traditional to innovative, hybrid and digital-oriented. The main changes in the business models of insurance companies are omnichannel communications, the launch of chatbots, Big Data, Mobile ID, Bank ID, online access to registers, Blockchain. The COVID-19 pandemic has led to a shift in business models towards socially responsible business and adherence to sustainable development goals.

Traditionally, public procurement has been associated with the measurement of achieving savings. However, recent research shows that the economic impact of public procurement is not limited only to savings, but by measuring the impact of four capitals—natural, human, social, and economic—on sustainable well-being over time. Ukraine is a country with a very low gross domestic product (GDP) per capita, which exacerbates the problem of the impact of public procurement results on the population’s welfare. Ukrainian public procurement legislation allows customers to apply non-price criteria (the share of non-price criteria cannot be more than 70%), which, together, are taken into account in the formula of the quoted price. The studies show that the effect of the use of non-price criteria depends on the relevance of the method of the evaluation of non-price criteria. The most important non-price criteria for Ukrainian customers by product categories and the methods of their evaluation are analyzed according to the Bi.prozorro.org analytics module. Therefore, it is concluded that the quoted price method, which is used in Ukrainian practice, is not relevant in comparison with the method used in the EU. A survey of the government buyers on the practice of applying non-price criteria was conducted, and the areas of their use were identified.

None of the territorial authorities would be able to perform the functions of management of economic and social processes in their territories, to make adequate decisions appropriate in concrete situations, without knowing the status of their territorial budget. An analysis of the budgetary process includes several directions of research characteristic of its different phases. At the stage of budgeting it includes an expert study of the budget in terms of justification of its basic parameters. At the stage of implementation, it includes an operational analysis of the current state budget and a systematic study of trends in the income and expenditure budget. The final stage includes an analysis of the effectiveness and efficiency of use of budgetary resources. On this basis, the paper presents a system of indexes which makes it possible to assess the quality of the regional budget process and to identify the causes of breaches of development. It includes: 1. indexes specific to the structure of regional budget revenues and the dynamics of the relations between them; 2. absolute and relative indexes of the regional budget balance, 3. indexes of the income and expenditure proportionality in the budget; 4. a rhythmic analysis of expenditure from budgetary funds within the current budget; and 5. indexes of regional budget liquidity.