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Liquidity Profiles of Poor Mexican Households

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  • Paxton, Julia
  • Young, Lauren

Abstract

Summary Buffer stock savings theories predict that more vulnerable households build up liquid savings in order to cope with income variability. Using data from 1801 marginalized Mexican households, this paper examines how household liquidity levels vary by income level and use of banking. The paper finds strong evidence of buffer stock savings in poor and vulnerable households. It also shows that membership in a financial cooperative is a determinant of higher household liquidity levels. Financial instruments are used more to confront idiosyncratic shocks than systemic shocks. Idiosyncratic shocks and remittances are important determinants of liquidity levels in unbanked households.

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  • Paxton, Julia & Young, Lauren, 2011. "Liquidity Profiles of Poor Mexican Households," World Development, Elsevier, vol. 39(4), pages 600-610, April.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:wdevel:v:39:y:2011:i:4:p:600-610
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    1. Bande, Roberto & Riveiro, Dolores & Ruiz, Freddy, 2021. "Does Uncertainty Affect Saving Decisions of Colombian Households? Evidence on Precautionary Saving," MPRA Paper 106771, University Library of Munich, Germany.
    2. Liaqat Ali & Muhammad Kamran Naqi Khan & Habib Ahmad, 2020. "Financial Fragility of Pakistani Household," Journal of Family and Economic Issues, Springer, vol. 41(3), pages 572-590, September.
    3. Robert Lensink & Roselia Servin & Marrit Berg, 2017. "Do Savings and Credit Institutions Reduce Vulnerability? New Evidence From Mexico," Review of Income and Wealth, International Association for Research in Income and Wealth, vol. 63(2), pages 335-352, June.

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