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Credibility gains from central bank communication with the public

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  • Ehrmann, Michael
  • Georgarakos, Dimitris
  • Kenny, Geoff

Abstract

Enhancing central bank credibility among the general public is a challenging task, not least because it is difficult to reach out to this group: even the revision of the ECB’s inflation target in 2021 went largely unnoticed by consumers. However, randomised information treatments conducted in a representative consumer survey in the six largest euro area countries reveal that communicating information about the target can enhance the perceived probability that price stability will be maintained in the medium-term. Especially if some explanation about the role of monetary policy is provided, credibility can be boosted also among the less financially literate, and the credibility gains are noticeable even in periods when inflation has increased.

Suggested Citation

  • Ehrmann, Michael & Georgarakos, Dimitris & Kenny, Geoff, 2025. "Credibility gains from central bank communication with the public," European Economic Review, Elsevier, vol. 177(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:eecrev:v:177:y:2025:i:c:s0014292125001199
    DOI: 10.1016/j.euroecorev.2025.105069
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    Cited by:

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    3. Georgarakos, Dimitris & Kenny, Geoff & Laeven, Luc & Meyer, Justus, 2025. "The digital euro: awareness, adoption and household portfolios," Research Bulletin, European Central Bank, vol. 138.
    4. Siye Bae & Sangyup Choi & Sang-Hyun Kim & Myunghwan Andrew Lee & Myungkyu Shim, 2025. "Can We Anchor Macroeconomic Expectations Across Party Lines? Evidence from a Randomized Control Trial," Working papers 2025rwp-255, Yonsei University, Yonsei Economics Research Institute.

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    Keywords

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    JEL classification:

    • E52 - Macroeconomics and Monetary Economics - - Monetary Policy, Central Banking, and the Supply of Money and Credit - - - Monetary Policy
    • E58 - Macroeconomics and Monetary Economics - - Monetary Policy, Central Banking, and the Supply of Money and Credit - - - Central Banks and Their Policies
    • E31 - Macroeconomics and Monetary Economics - - Prices, Business Fluctuations, and Cycles - - - Price Level; Inflation; Deflation

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