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Demographic change and income tax revenue in Germany: a microsimulation approach

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  • Martin Beznoska

    (Public Finance Research Unit, Cologne Institute for Economic Research (IW), Koln, Germany)

  • Tobias Hentze

    (Public Finance Research Unit, Cologne Institute for Economic Research (IW), Koln, Germany)

Abstract

As a result of high net migration, both Germany’s overall population and its workforce potential are currently growing. However, within a few years this demographic trend will be reversed, leading to a decline in population as a whole and especially in the number of those gainfully employed. In this paper, we use a population projection to apply a static ageing approach to German micro data. Then, we simulate income tax revenue with a microsimulation model for the future population. In 20 years’ time the annual price-adjusted income tax loss is estimated to be equal to €18 billion or almost 7 per cent. This fall in income tax revenue resulting from a shrinking and ageing society will place a huge strain on public finances in Germany, an effect further enhanced by the shift of the tax burden from pension contributions to pension benefits.

Suggested Citation

  • Martin Beznoska & Tobias Hentze, 2017. "Demographic change and income tax revenue in Germany: a microsimulation approach," Public Sector Economics, Institute of Public Finance, vol. 41(1), pages 71-84.
    • Handle: RePEc:ipf:psejou:v:41:y:2017:i:1:p:71-84
    DOI: 10.3326/pse.41.1.8
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    public finance; tax revenue; demographic change; microsimulation;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • H24 - Public Economics - - Taxation, Subsidies, and Revenue - - - Personal Income and Other Nonbusiness Taxes and Subsidies
    • H68 - Public Economics - - National Budget, Deficit, and Debt - - - Forecasts of Budgets, Deficits, and Debt
    • J11 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demographic Economics - - - Demographic Trends, Macroeconomic Effects, and Forecasts

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