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Cyclicality of Fiscal Policy In Israel

Author

Listed:
  • Michel Strawczynski

    (Bank of Israel)

  • Joseph Zeira

    (Hebrew University of Jerusalem, CEPR)

Abstract

This paper tests the cyclicality of fiscal policy in Israel. We find that government deficits are mildly counter-cyclical, mainly in recessions. Expenditures, and in particular, public investment, are pro-cyclical. However, we find that both the government deficit and expenditures have become more countercyclical after 1985, a period that is characterized by improved fiscal discipline, following the Israeli Stabilization. We interpret this result as an indication that Israel is nowadays in a transition from pro-cyclical fiscal policy, as in many developing countries, to countercyclical fiscal policy, as is more common in developed countries.

Suggested Citation

  • Michel Strawczynski & Joseph Zeira, 2007. "Cyclicality of Fiscal Policy In Israel," Bank of Israel Working Papers 2007.04, Bank of Israel.
    • Handle: RePEc:boi:wpaper:2007.04
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. Mogaji, Peter Kehinde, 2015. "Fiscal Cyclicality in the Anglophone West Africa and Guinea: Panel Data Assessments of Contemporaneous and Lagged Fiscal Rules," MPRA Paper 99800, University Library of Munich, Germany.
    2. Strawczynski Michel, 2014. "Cyclicality Of Statutory Tax Rates," Israel Economic Review, Bank of Israel, vol. 11(1), pages 67-96.
    3. Anita Angelovska Bezovska & Jane Bogoev & Ana Mitreska & Maja Kadievska Vojnovik, 2011. "Investigating the Cyclical Behavior of Fiscal Policy in the Republic of Macedonia during the Period of Transition," Croatian Economic Survey, The Institute of Economics, Zagreb, vol. 13(1), pages 57-104, April.
    4. Michel Strawczynski & Joseph Zeira, 2013. "Procyclicality of Fiscal Policy in Emerging Countries: The Cycle is the Trend," Central Banking, Analysis, and Economic Policies Book Series, in: Luis Felipe Céspedes & Jordi Galí (ed.),Fiscal Policy and Macroeconomic Performance, edition 1, volume 17, chapter 11, pages 427-466, Central Bank of Chile.
    5. Abdurohman & Budy P. Resosudarmo, 2017. "The Behavior Of Fiscal Policy In Indonesia In Response To Economic Cycles," The Singapore Economic Review (SER), World Scientific Publishing Co. Pte. Ltd., vol. 62(02), pages 377-401, June.
    6. Aline Gadelha & José Angelo Divino, 2021. "Institutions and Cyclicality of the Fiscal and Monetary Policies in Brazil," International Journal of Economics and Finance, Canadian Center of Science and Education, vol. 13(4), pages 1-25, April.
    7. Ethan Ilzetzki & Carlos A. Vegh, 2008. "Procyclical Fiscal Policy in Developing Countries: Truth or Fiction?," NBER Working Papers 14191, National Bureau of Economic Research, Inc.
    8. Irene Yackovlev & Victor Duarte Lledo & Lucie Gadenne, 2009. "Cyclical Patterns of Government Expenditures in Sub-Saharan Africa: Facts and Factors," IMF Working Papers 2009/274, International Monetary Fund.
    9. Kobi Braude & Karnit Flug, 2012. "The interaction between monetary and fiscal policy: insights from two business cycles in Israel," BIS Papers chapters, in: Bank for International Settlements (ed.), Fiscal policy, public debt and monetary policy in emerging market economies, volume 67, pages 205-215, Bank for International Settlements.
    10. Charlotte Moeser, 2010. "Israel: Monetary and Fiscal Policy," OECD Economics Department Working Papers 783, OECD Publishing.

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