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Testing the Ricardian Equivalence Theorem: Time Series Evidence from Greece

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  • Kostas Drakos

    (Department of Economics, London Guildhall University)

Abstract

The paper explores the long-run relationship between government domestic borrowing and private savings for a small EU country. It represents an attempt to assess the relevance of Ricardian Equivalence in Greece. The empirical findings are that in accordance to the Ricardian Equivalence theorem prediction, government borrowing in Greece leads to an increase in household savings. However, the increased private savings do not completely offset increased government debt. In other words, contrary to the Ricardian Equivalence theorem, households to some extent perceive government bonds as net wealth and consequently increased their consumption. This behaviour can be thought as being the result of liquidity constraints faced by households and also myopic behaviour due to uncertainty regarding the future path of taxes.

Suggested Citation

  • Kostas Drakos, 2001. "Testing the Ricardian Equivalence Theorem: Time Series Evidence from Greece," Journal of Economic Development, Chung-Ang Unviersity, Department of Economics, vol. 26(1), pages 149-160, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:jed:journl:v:26:y:2001:i:1:p:149-160
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    2. Teboho Jeremiah Mosikari & Joel Hinaunye Eita, 2017. "Empirical test of the Ricardian Equivalence in the Kingdom of Lesotho," Cogent Economics & Finance, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 5(1), pages 1351674-135, January.
    3. Waqas, Muhammad & Awan, Masood Sarwar, 2011. "Are Pakistani Consumers Ricardian?," MPRA Paper 35375, University Library of Munich, Germany.
    4. Yaya Keho, 2016. "Impact of Budget Deficit on Private Consumption inWAEMU Countries: Evidence from Pooled Mean Group Estimation," International Journal of Economics and Finance, Canadian Center of Science and Education, vol. 8(3), pages 189-195, March.
    5. Ahmet Salih İkiz, 2020. "Testing the Ricardian Equivalence Theorem: Time Series Evidence from Turkey," Economies, MDPI, vol. 8(3), pages 1-20, August.
    6. Saima Sarwar, 2015. "Revisiting Ricardian Equivalence Hypothesis (REH) For Pakistan Using Money Demand Function Approach," Journal of Empirical Economics, Research Academy of Social Sciences, vol. 4(3), pages 154-166.
    7. Waqas, Muhamad & Awan, Masood Sarwar & Aslam, Muhammad Amir, 2011. "We are living on the cost of our children," MPRA Paper 32044, University Library of Munich, Germany.
    8. Ian P. Cassar & Kurt Davison & Christian Xuereb, 2018. "Does the Ricardian Equivalence Theorem Capture the Consumption Behavior of Maltese Households?," International Journal of Economics and Finance, Canadian Center of Science and Education, vol. 10(12), pages 1-77, December.
    9. Cosimo Magazzino, 2012. "Fiscal Policy, Consumption and Current Account in the European Countries," Economics Bulletin, AccessEcon, vol. 32(2), pages 1330-1344.
    10. International Monetary Fund, 2005. "Norway: Selected Issues," IMF Staff Country Reports 2005/197, International Monetary Fund.
    11. Yoichi Matsubayashi & Takao Fujii, 2012. "Substitutability of Savings by Sectors: OECD Experiences," Discussion Papers 1215, Graduate School of Economics, Kobe University.
    12. Muhammad Waqas & Masood Sarwar Awan, 2012. "Exchange Rate, Interest Rate and Ricardian Equivalence Evidence from Pakistan," Romanian Economic Journal, Department of International Business and Economics from the Academy of Economic Studies Bucharest, vol. 0(SS), pages 249-269.

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