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Income inequality, economic openness and current account imbalances in new EU member states

Author

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  • Boris Cota

    (University of Zagreb)

  • Nataša Erjavec

    (University of Zagreb)

  • Saša Jakšić

    (University of Zagreb)

Abstract

Three decades before the Great Recession (the 2008 financial and economic crisis) were marked by the continuous growth of current account imbalances and income inequality. This period of high globalization is accompanied by financial liberalization and an increase in trade openness. The empirical investigations of the causes of global imbalances show that growing income inequalities are worsening the current account. After the fall of the Berlin Wall, new EU member states experienced an increase in trade openness accompanied by current account deficits and financial liberalization, but also an increase in income inequality. The Great Recession led to a decrease in imports in these countries and an improvement in the current account. The goal of our research is primarily to examine the relationship between income inequality, current account, and economic openness in the new EU member states. We show that rising income inequality linked with financial liberalization is connected with the deterioration of the current account in new EU member states. Financial liberalization relates to an increase in household domestic debt, contributing to a deterioration of the current account.

Suggested Citation

  • Boris Cota & Nataša Erjavec & Saša Jakšić, 2024. "Income inequality, economic openness and current account imbalances in new EU member states," Empirica, Springer;Austrian Institute for Economic Research;Austrian Economic Association, vol. 51(2), pages 403-423, May.
    • Handle: RePEc:kap:empiri:v:51:y:2024:i:2:d:10.1007_s10663-024-09606-2
    DOI: 10.1007/s10663-024-09606-2
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Current account; Income inequality; Economic openness; Financial liberalization; Panel data; Feasible generalized least squares;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • C33 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Multiple or Simultaneous Equation Models; Multiple Variables - - - Models with Panel Data; Spatio-temporal Models
    • D63 - Microeconomics - - Welfare Economics - - - Equity, Justice, Inequality, and Other Normative Criteria and Measurement
    • F32 - International Economics - - International Finance - - - Current Account Adjustment; Short-term Capital Movements
    • F41 - International Economics - - Macroeconomic Aspects of International Trade and Finance - - - Open Economy Macroeconomics
    • O24 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Development Planning and Policy - - - Trade Policy; Factor Movement; Foreign Exchange Policy

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