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Natural Disasters, Government Spending, and the Fiscal Multiplier

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  • Jan Fidrmuc
  • Sugata Ghosh
  • Weonho Yang

Abstract

We estimate the fiscal multiplier associated with shocks to government spending. We consider increases in government spending in the U.S. states in the wake of natural disasters to capture spending shocks that are both unexpected and unrelated to the preceding state of the economy. We find that these have a powerful stimulating effect on the local economy, which is reflected in the value taken by the fiscal multiplier. This result is obtained when we identify fiscal shocks by the states’ own exposure to natural disasters, or when we use nearby states’ exposure to disasters instead.

Suggested Citation

  • Jan Fidrmuc & Sugata Ghosh & Weonho Yang, 2015. "Natural Disasters, Government Spending, and the Fiscal Multiplier," CESifo Working Paper Series 5665, CESifo.
    • Handle: RePEc:ces:ceswps:_5665
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    2. Berlemann, Michael & Wenzel, Daniela, 2018. "Hurricanes, economic growth and transmission channels," World Development, Elsevier, vol. 105(C), pages 231-247.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    natural disasters; government spending; fiscal multiplier; U.S. states;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • E22 - Macroeconomics and Monetary Economics - - Consumption, Saving, Production, Employment, and Investment - - - Investment; Capital; Intangible Capital; Capacity
    • E62 - Macroeconomics and Monetary Economics - - Macroeconomic Policy, Macroeconomic Aspects of Public Finance, and General Outlook - - - Fiscal Policy; Modern Monetary Theory
    • H30 - Public Economics - - Fiscal Policies and Behavior of Economic Agents - - - General
    • H50 - Public Economics - - National Government Expenditures and Related Policies - - - General
    • H72 - Public Economics - - State and Local Government; Intergovernmental Relations - - - State and Local Budget and Expenditures

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