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Economic policy uncertainty and household consumption: Evidence from Chinese households

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  • Wu, Weixing
  • Zhao, Jing

Abstract

We find that households reduce their consumption in response to higher economic policy uncertainty (EPU). Compared with lower income households, high income group is more severely affected which can be explained by the portfolio choice of illiquid asset and liquid asset. In addition, the uncertainty effect is more pronounced among older, wealthier, well-educated and urban households. The impact of EPU on household consumption is also persistent. Holding more liquid asset and commercial insurance represent important channels in mitigating the negative effect of EPU on household consumption.

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  • Wu, Weixing & Zhao, Jing, 2022. "Economic policy uncertainty and household consumption: Evidence from Chinese households," Journal of Asian Economics, Elsevier, vol. 79(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:asieco:v:79:y:2022:i:c:s1049007821001640
    DOI: 10.1016/j.asieco.2021.101436
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    Cited by:

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    2. Tuan-Hock Ng & Ying-San Lim & Ying-Zhee Lim & Kar-Hoong Chan & Chun-Teck Lye, 2024. "Is economic policy uncertainty detrimental to sustainability? Evidence from Asian countries," Environment, Development and Sustainability: A Multidisciplinary Approach to the Theory and Practice of Sustainable Development, Springer, vol. 26(8), pages 20885-20908, August.
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    4. Kai‐Hua Wang & Zu‐Shan Wang & Hong‐Wen Liu & Xin Li, 2023. "Economic policy uncertainty and geopolitical risk: evidence from China and Southeast Asia," Asian-Pacific Economic Literature, The Crawford School, The Australian National University, vol. 37(2), pages 96-118, November.

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