Things were set up so that the premiums paid by those in the contributory system would eventually generate a surplus sufficient to subsidise the system for the poor.

ECONOMIST: Colombia's health reforms

Some of their oft-maligned reforms have come to fruition, ironically, under Mr Putin: helped by high oil prices, the economy is growing around 7% a year, the government budget is in surplus, inflation has been tamed and debt paid off.

ECONOMIST: A floundering opposition