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Inflation Dynamics in the Presence of Informal Labour Markets

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  • Paul Castillo
  • Carlos Montoro

Abstract

In this paper we analyse the effects of informal labour markets on the dynamics of inflation and on the transmission of aggregate demand and supply shocks. In doing so, we incorporate the informal sector in a modified New Keynesian model with labour market frictions as in the Diamond-Mortensen-Pissarides model. Our main results show that the informal economy generates a "buffer" effect that diminishes the pressure of demand shocks on inflation. This finding is consistent with the empirical literature on the effects of informal labour markets in business cycle fluctuations. This result implies that, in economies with large informal labour markets, changes in interest rates are more effective in stimulating real output and there is less impact on inflation. Furthermore, the model produces cyclical flows from informal to formal employment, consistent with the data.

Suggested Citation

  • Paul Castillo & Carlos Montoro, 2012. "Inflation Dynamics in the Presence of Informal Labour Markets," BIS Working Papers 372, Bank for International Settlements.
    • Handle: RePEc:bis:biswps:372
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    Cited by:

    1. Khurrum S. Mughal & Friedrich G. Schneider, 2020. "How Informal Sector Affects the Formal Economy in Pakistan? A Lesson for Developing Countries," South Asian Journal of Macroeconomics and Public Finance, , vol. 9(1), pages 7-21, June.
    2. Rümeysa Çelik & Abdurrahman Keskin & Abdulkadir Keskin, 2021. "Türkiye’de Ekonomik Büyüme, İşsizlik ve Enflasyonun Kayıt Dışı İstihdam Üzerindeki Etkisi: ARDL Sınır Testi Yaklaşımı," Journal of Social Policy Conferences, Istanbul University, Faculty of Economics, vol. 0(80), pages 451-474, June.
    3. McKenzie, Rex A, 2015. "Monetary transmission in Africa: a review of official sources," Economics Discussion Papers 2015-7, School of Economics, Kingston University London.
    4. Bracha, Anat & Burke, Mary A., 2018. "Wage inflation and informal work," Economics Letters, Elsevier, vol. 171(C), pages 159-163.
    5. Central Reserve Bank of Peru, 2023. "eru: labour market, wages and monetary policy in the aftermath of Covid-19," BIS Papers chapters, in: Bank for International Settlements (ed.), Inflation and labour markets, volume 127, pages 221-236, Bank for International Settlements.
    6. Owolabi, Adegboyega O. & Berdiev, Aziz N. & Saunoris, James W., 2022. "Is the shadow economy procyclical or countercyclical over the business cycle? International evidence," The Quarterly Review of Economics and Finance, Elsevier, vol. 84(C), pages 257-270.
    7. Céspedes, Nikita, 2015. "Creación y Destrucción de Empleos e Informalidad," Working Papers 2015-009, Banco Central de Reserva del Perú.
    8. Peters Idowu & Yaaba N. Baba & Adetoba O. Olufunso & Tomologu-Okunomo E. Aduni & Tonuchi E. Joseph, 2020. "How Effective is Monetary Policy in the Presence of High Informality in Nigeria," Journal of Accounting, Business and Finance Research, Scientific Publishing Institute, vol. 10(2), pages 84-93.
    9. SENBETA, Sisay Regassa, 2013. "Informality and macroeconomic fluctuations: A small open economy New Keynesian DSGE model with dual labour markets," Working Papers 2013002, University of Antwerp, Faculty of Business and Economics.
    10. Jan Przystupa & Ewa Wróbel, 2016. "Modelling monetary transmission in less developed emerging markets: the case of Tunisia," Bank i Kredyt, Narodowy Bank Polski, vol. 47(5), pages 395-434.
    11. Yépez, Carlos A., 2019. "Informality and international business cycles," Journal of International Financial Markets, Institutions and Money, Elsevier, vol. 62(C), pages 252-263.
    12. repec:nbp:nbpbik:v:47:y:2016:i:6:p:395-434 is not listed on IDEAS

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    Keywords

    Monetary Policy; New Keynesian Model; Informal Economy; Labour Market Frictions;
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