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World saving: trends and theories

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  • Klaus Schmidt-Hebbel
  • Luis Servén

Abstract

The world's average saving rate has declined for the last two decades but country saving rates exhibit a large dispersion, especially in developing regions. While in a small number of developing countries saving has risen substantially if -along with growth- saving has stagnated or even declined in most industrial, developing, and transition economies. This paper provides evidence on the evolution of world and regional saving rates and their correlation with selected variables. It also surveys conventional and more recent saving/consumption theories that are potentially relevant in explaining world saving patterns and correlations. Finally it identifies a selective number of research puzzles and policy issues that merit further research.

Suggested Citation

  • Klaus Schmidt-Hebbel & Luis Servén, 1998. "World saving: trends and theories," Estudios de Economia, University of Chile, Department of Economics, vol. 25(2 Year 19), pages 191-215, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:udc:esteco:v:25:y:1998:i:2:p:191-215
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    Cited by:

    1. Grilli, Enzo, 2005. "Political economy and economic development in Latin America in the second half of the 20th century," Journal of Policy Modeling, Elsevier, vol. 27(1), pages 1-31, February.
    2. Baker Matthew J. & George Lisa M, 2010. "The Role of Television in Household Debt: Evidence from the 1950's," The B.E. Journal of Economic Analysis & Policy, De Gruyter, vol. 10(1), pages 1-38, May.
    3. Norman Loayza & Klaus Schmidt-Hebbel & Luis Servén, 2001. "Una Revisión del COmportamiento y de los determinantes del ahorro en el mundo," Central Banking, Analysis, and Economic Policies Book Series, in: Felipe Morandé & Rodrigo Vergara & Norman Loayza (Series Editor) & Klaus Schmidt-Hebbel (Series Edit (ed.),Análisis Empírico del Ahorro en Chile, edition 1, volume 1, chapter 2, pages 13-48, Central Bank of Chile.
    4. World Bank, 2011. "Turkey - Country Economic Memorandum (CEM) : Sustaining High Growth - The Role of Domestic savings : Synthesis Report," World Bank Publications - Reports 12264, The World Bank Group.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Saving rate; trends; developing countries.;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • E21 - Macroeconomics and Monetary Economics - - Consumption, Saving, Production, Employment, and Investment - - - Consumption; Saving; Wealth
    • O16 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Economic Development - - - Financial Markets; Saving and Capital Investment; Corporate Finance and Governance

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