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The Relationship Between Debt Level And Fiscal Sustainability In Organization For Economic Cooperation And Development Countries

Author

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  • Mariam Camarero
  • Josep Lluís Carrion‐i‐Silvestre
  • Cecilio Tamarit

Abstract

In this article we unify the traditional approaches to testing for fiscal sustainability considering the stock‐flow system that fiscal variables configure. Our approach encompasses previous ways of testing for sustainability. The results obtained for a group of 17 Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) countries point to weak fiscal sustainability, as well as to the existence of cointegration between deficit and debt, confirming the relevance of the stock‐flow approach. Allowing for structural breaks and multicointegration turns out to be of critical importance to assess whether the fiscal authorities apply their policies looking for sustainability and whether, simultaneously, they try to stabilize real debt target levels. (JEL H62, E62, C22)

Suggested Citation

  • Mariam Camarero & Josep Lluís Carrion‐i‐Silvestre & Cecilio Tamarit, 2015. "The Relationship Between Debt Level And Fiscal Sustainability In Organization For Economic Cooperation And Development Countries," Economic Inquiry, Western Economic Association International, vol. 53(1), pages 129-149, January.
    • Handle: RePEc:bla:ecinqu:v:53:y:2015:i:1:p:129-149
    DOI: 10.1111/ecin.12126
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    More about this item

    JEL classification:

    • H62 - Public Economics - - National Budget, Deficit, and Debt - - - Deficit; Surplus
    • E62 - Macroeconomics and Monetary Economics - - Macroeconomic Policy, Macroeconomic Aspects of Public Finance, and General Outlook - - - Fiscal Policy; Modern Monetary Theory
    • C22 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Single Equation Models; Single Variables - - - Time-Series Models; Dynamic Quantile Regressions; Dynamic Treatment Effect Models; Diffusion Processes

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