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Why Does Capital Flow from Equal to Unequal Countries?

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  • de Ferra, Sergio
  • Romei, Federica
  • Mitman, Kurt

Abstract

Capital flows from equal to unequal countries. We document this empirical regularity in a large sample of advanced economies. The capital flows are largely driven by private savings. We propose a theory that can rationalize these findings: more unequal countries endogenously develop deeper financial markets. Households in unequal counties, in turn, borrow more, driving the observed direction of capital flows.

Suggested Citation

  • de Ferra, Sergio & Romei, Federica & Mitman, Kurt, 2021. "Why Does Capital Flow from Equal to Unequal Countries?," CEPR Discussion Papers 15647, C.E.P.R. Discussion Papers.
    • Handle: RePEc:cpr:ceprdp:15647
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. de Ferra, Sergio & Mitman, Kurt & Romei, Federica, 2020. "Household heterogeneity and the transmission of foreign shocks," Journal of International Economics, Elsevier, vol. 124(C).
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    Cited by:

    1. Christian Bayer & Alexander Kriwoluzky & Gernot J. Müller & Fabian Seyrich, 2023. "A HANK2 Model of Monetary Unions," Discussion Papers of DIW Berlin 2044, DIW Berlin, German Institute for Economic Research.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Inequality; Current account; Capital flows;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • F32 - International Economics - - International Finance - - - Current Account Adjustment; Short-term Capital Movements
    • F41 - International Economics - - Macroeconomic Aspects of International Trade and Finance - - - Open Economy Macroeconomics
    • E21 - Macroeconomics and Monetary Economics - - Consumption, Saving, Production, Employment, and Investment - - - Consumption; Saving; Wealth

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