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Fiscal consolidation in heavily indebted economies

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  • García, Concepción González

Abstract

In this paper, I build a dynamic general equilibrium model calibrated to the U.S. economy to study the macroeconomic effects of alternative fiscal consolidation strategies in a context where the private sector is heavily indebted. Fiscal consolidation is defined as a permanent reduction of the public debt-to-GDP ratio through government spending cuts or tax hikes. I show that in the long run, fiscal consolidation entails output benefits that are dampened when private debt is high. This effect occurs independently of the fiscal instrument used to stabilize the debt. In the short run, I find that a fiscal policy that raises labor or capital tax rates induces deleveraging in the private sector, which amplifies temporary output losses due to fiscal consolidation policies. By contrast, a fiscal consolidation achieved by government spending cuts or consumption tax hikes facilitates the repayment of private debt, thereby mitigating the negative output effect associated with a public debt reduction. Finally, regarding social welfare, I find that a fiscal consolidation brings higher welfare gains when government spending or consumption tax rates adjust in an environment of high private debt. However, it increases the social welfare loss when capital or labor tax rates adjust to meet the public debt target.

Suggested Citation

  • García, Concepción González, 2025. "Fiscal consolidation in heavily indebted economies," Journal of Economic Dynamics and Control, Elsevier, vol. 173(C).
  • Handle: RePEc:eee:dyncon:v:173:y:2025:i:c:s0165188925000120
    DOI: 10.1016/j.jedc.2025.105046
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Fiscal policy; Fiscal consolidation; Private debt; Great recession;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • E32 - Macroeconomics and Monetary Economics - - Prices, Business Fluctuations, and Cycles - - - Business Fluctuations; Cycles
    • E44 - Macroeconomics and Monetary Economics - - Money and Interest Rates - - - Financial Markets and the Macroeconomy
    • E61 - Macroeconomics and Monetary Economics - - Macroeconomic Policy, Macroeconomic Aspects of Public Finance, and General Outlook - - - Policy Objectives; Policy Designs and Consistency; Policy Coordination
    • E62 - Macroeconomics and Monetary Economics - - Macroeconomic Policy, Macroeconomic Aspects of Public Finance, and General Outlook - - - Fiscal Policy; Modern Monetary Theory
    • H63 - Public Economics - - National Budget, Deficit, and Debt - - - Debt; Debt Management; Sovereign Debt

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