Debt Reduction, Fiscal Adjustment, and Growth in Credit-Constrained Economies

Debt Reduction, Fiscal Adjustment, and Growth in Credit-Constrained Economies PDF Author: Mr.Emanuele Baldacci
Publisher: International Monetary Fund
ISBN: 147552076X
Category : Business & Economics
Languages : en
Pages : 37

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Book Description
This paper assesses the effects of fiscal consolidations associated with public debt reduction on medium-term output growth during periods of private debt deleveraging. The analysis covers 107 countries and 79 episodes of public debt reduction driven by discretionary fiscal adjustments during 1980–2012. It shows that expenditure-based, front-loaded fiscal adjustments can dampen growth when there are credit supply restrictions. Instead, fiscal adjustments that are gradual and rely on a mix of revenue and expenditure measures can support output expansion, while reducing public debt. In this context, protecting public investment is critical for medium-term growth, as is the implementation of supply-side, productivity-enhancing reforms.

Debt Reduction, Fiscal Adjustment, and Growth in Credit-Constrained Economies

Debt Reduction, Fiscal Adjustment, and Growth in Credit-Constrained Economies PDF Author: Mr.Emanuele Baldacci
Publisher: International Monetary Fund
ISBN: 147552076X
Category : Business & Economics
Languages : en
Pages : 37

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Book Description
This paper assesses the effects of fiscal consolidations associated with public debt reduction on medium-term output growth during periods of private debt deleveraging. The analysis covers 107 countries and 79 episodes of public debt reduction driven by discretionary fiscal adjustments during 1980–2012. It shows that expenditure-based, front-loaded fiscal adjustments can dampen growth when there are credit supply restrictions. Instead, fiscal adjustments that are gradual and rely on a mix of revenue and expenditure measures can support output expansion, while reducing public debt. In this context, protecting public investment is critical for medium-term growth, as is the implementation of supply-side, productivity-enhancing reforms.

Dealing with High Debt in an Era of Low Growth

Dealing with High Debt in an Era of Low Growth PDF Author: S. M. Ali Abbas
Publisher: International Monetary Fund
ISBN: 1484316134
Category : Business & Economics
Languages : en
Pages : 32

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Book Description
task has become particularly challenging in European advanced economies where expectations of low growth and limits to monetary policy support are shifting the burden of adjustment onto fiscal consolidation. The SDN will investigate the main drivers behind successful past debt reversals, focusing on macroeconomic and financial market conditions, the speed and form of fiscal adjustment, and the institutional policy setting, among other things. Its policy conclusions will depend on the emerging stylized facts but are likely to include considerations on the design and pace of fiscal consolidation, taking into account country-specific as well as regional economic, institutional, and political factors.

Chipping Away at Public Debt

Chipping Away at Public Debt PDF Author: Paolo Mauro
Publisher: John Wiley & Sons
ISBN: 1118113063
Category : Business & Economics
Languages : en
Pages : 348

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Book Description
Path-breaking research on one of the most important macroeconomic policy challenges in the post-crisis world, presented in accessible language Written and researched by a team of experts from the International Monetary Fund, other policy-making institutions, and academia, this timely book looks at fiscal adjustment plans in advanced economies, comparing the planned or projected reductions in debts and deficits to the actual outcomes, and explaining why objectives were met in some cases but missed in others. An overview reveals pitfalls to avoid and lessons learned for securing successful fiscal adjustment. Written by experts in the field Addresses public concern about skyrocketing government debts Contains cutting edge research that changes the way we look at fiscal adjustment Presents meticulous archival research in compelling and engaging case studies Explores lessons learned and policy implications going forward Includes country coverage of all G7 and European Union economies Educating and informing investors, economists, and the general public, this important book looks at why some attempts to curb debts and deficits succeed whereas others fail, as well as how to ensure successful fiscal adjustment in the period ahead.

The Challenge of Debt Reduction during Fiscal Consolidation

The Challenge of Debt Reduction during Fiscal Consolidation PDF Author: Luc Eyraud
Publisher: International Monetary Fund
ISBN: 1616357568
Category : Business & Economics
Languages : en
Pages : 57

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Book Description
Studies suggest that fiscal multipliers are currently high in many advanced economies. One important implication is that fiscal tightening could raise the debt ratio in the short term, as fiscal gains are partly wiped out by the decline in output. Although this effect is not long-lasting and debt eventually declines, it could be an issue if financial markets focus on the short-term behavior of the debt ratio, or if country authorities engage in repeated rounds of tightening in an effort to get the debt ratio to converge to the official target. We discuss whether these problems could be addressed by setting and monitoring debt targets in cyclically-adjusted terms.

An Empirical Analysis of Fiscal Adjustments

An Empirical Analysis of Fiscal Adjustments PDF Author: Mr.C. John McDermott
Publisher: International Monetary Fund
ISBN: 1451965958
Category : Business & Economics
Languages : en
Pages : 26

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Book Description
This study uses the fiscal expansion and consolidation experiences of the industrial countries over the period 1970 to 1995 to examine the interplay between fiscal adjustments and economic performance. A key finding is that fiscal consolidation need not trigger an economic slowdown. Fiscal consolidation that concentrates on the expenditure side, and especially on transfers and government wages, is more likely to succeed in reducing the public debt ratio than tax-based consolidation. Also, the greater the magnitude of the fiscal consolidation, the more likely it is to succeed in reducing the debt ratio.

Fiscal Adjustment for Stability and Growth

Fiscal Adjustment for Stability and Growth PDF Author: Mr.James Daniel
Publisher: International Monetary Fund
ISBN: 9781589065130
Category : Business & Economics
Languages : en
Pages : 80

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Book Description
The pamphlet (which updates the 1995 Guidelines for Fiscal Adjustment) presents the IMF’s approach to fiscal adjustment, and focuses on the role that sound government finances play in promoting macroeconomic stability and growth. Structured around five practical questions—when to adjust, how to assess the fiscal position, what makes for successful adjustment, how to carry out adjustment, and which institutions can help—it covers topics such as tax policies, debt sustainability, fiscal responsibility laws, and transparency.

Fiscal Policy, Economic Adjustment, and Financial Markets

Fiscal Policy, Economic Adjustment, and Financial Markets PDF Author: Mr.Mario Monti
Publisher: International Monetary Fund
ISBN: 9781557751188
Category : Business & Economics
Languages : en
Pages : 300

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Book Description
Edited by Mario Monti, this volume contains the proceedings of a seminar that was held in Milan at the Centre for Financial and Monetary Economics, Universitá Luigi Bocconi. Participants included government officials, academicians, and economists; they provide a many-faceted view of fiscal policy at the domestic level and in the broader context of international policy coordination.

Fiscal Buffers, Private Debt, and Stagnation

Fiscal Buffers, Private Debt, and Stagnation PDF Author: Nicoletta Batini
Publisher: International Monetary Fund
ISBN: 148436550X
Category : Business & Economics
Languages : en
Pages : 41

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Book Description
We revisit the empirical relationship between private/public debt and output, and build a model that reproduces it. In the model, the government provides financial assistance to credit-constrained agents to mitigate deleveraging. As we observe in the data, surges in private debt are potentially more damaging for the economy than surges in public debt. The model suggests two policy implications. First, capping leverage leads to milder recessions, but also implies more muted expansions. Second, with fiscal buffers, financial assistance to credit-constrained agents helps avoid stagnation. The growth returns from intervention decline as the government approaches the fiscal limit.

Assessing the Impact and Phasing of Multi-year Fiscal Adjustment

Assessing the Impact and Phasing of Multi-year Fiscal Adjustment PDF Author: Ran Bi
Publisher: International Monetary Fund
ISBN: 1475561148
Category : Business & Economics
Languages : en
Pages : 32

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Book Description
This paper provides a general framework to assess the output and debt dynamics of an economy undertaking multi-year fiscal adjustment. The framework allows country-specific assumptions about the magnitude and persistence of fiscal multipliers, hysteresis effects, and endogenous financing costs. In addition to informing macro projections, the framework can also shed light on the appropriate phasing of fiscal consolidation—in particular, on whether it should be front- or back-loaded. The framework is applied to stylized advanced and emerging economy examples. It suggests that for a highly-indebted economy undertaking large multi-year fiscal consolidation, high multipliers do not always argue against frontloaded adjustment. The case for more gradual or back-loaded adjustment is strongest when hysteresis effects are in play, but it needs to be balanced against implications for debt sustainability. Application to actual country examples tends to cast doubt on claims that very large multipliers have been operating post-crisis. It seems that the GDP forecast errors for Greece may have been due more to over-optimism on potential growth estimates than to underestimating fiscal multipliers.

The Challenges of Fiscal Consolidation and Debt Reduction in the Caribbean

The Challenges of Fiscal Consolidation and Debt Reduction in the Caribbean PDF Author: Charles Amo Yartey
Publisher: INTERNATIONAL MONETARY FUND
ISBN: 1475531702
Category : Business & Economics
Languages : en
Pages : 46

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Book Description
This paper examines debt dynamics in the Caribbean and discusses policy options for reducing the high debt levels. Based on empirical studies of factors underlying global large debt reduction episodes, important policy lessons are drawn for the Caribbean. The analysis shows that major debt reductions are associated with strong growth and decisive and lasting fiscal consolidation efforts. Since growth in the current environment is virtually nonexistent, significant fiscal consolidation is inevitable in the region. Better control of the public wage bill, increasing public sector efficiency and tackling transfers are the obvious targets to reduce spending. On the revenue side, there is ample room to reduce tax expenditures, eliminate distortions while broadening the tax base. Fiscal consolidation needs to be complemented by a comprehensive debt reduction strategy including tax policy reforms and structural reforms to boost competiveness.