Decline in government social expenditure

Between 1983 and 1986 developing countries cut spending on health by 13.3% and on education by 10.5% according to the World Bank's "World Development Report 1988". By 1992, almost all European countries had imposed some manner of cuts on social security benefits, from Germany's benefits freeze, to more subtle restrictions, such as tighter eligibility rules and reduced payment periods. The Netherlands had restricted housing benefits, Denmark proposed cuts in unemployment pay, and Sweden a package which reduced pensions, sick pay and housing subsidies.