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Expectations and Saving Behavior: An Empirical Analysis

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  • Stefan Arent

Abstract

In this paper we analyze the impact of the expectations about future labor income on the saving behavior of German households. We measure expectations on an individual basis instead of generalized risk measures as it is common in existing studies. We use a unique panel data set on household savings. We find that that a higher unemployment expectation significantly decreases savings. However, we are not able to identify a significant relationship between general future income expectations and savings. Moreover, we find that good health expectations increase savings in Western Germany, but decrease the savings in Eastern Germany.

Suggested Citation

  • Stefan Arent, 2012. "Expectations and Saving Behavior: An Empirical Analysis," ifo Working Paper Series 128, ifo Institute - Leibniz Institute for Economic Research at the University of Munich.
    • Handle: RePEc:ces:ifowps:_128
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    File URL: https://www.ifo.de/DocDL/IfoWorkingPaper-128.pdf
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    7. Stefan Arent & Alexander Eck & Michael Kloß & Oskar Krohmer, 2012. "Income Risk, Saving and Taxation:Will Precautionary Saving Survive?," ifo Working Paper Series 125, ifo Institute - Leibniz Institute for Economic Research at the University of Munich.
    8. Guiso, Luigi & Jappelli, Tullio & Pistaferri, Luigi, 2002. "An Empirical Analysis of Earnings and Employment Risk," Journal of Business & Economic Statistics, American Statistical Association, vol. 20(2), pages 241-253, April.
    9. Jie Zhang & Junsen Zhang, 2005. "The Effect of Life Expectancy on Fertility, Saving, Schooling and Economic Growth: Theory and Evidence," Scandinavian Journal of Economics, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 107(1), pages 45-66, March.
    10. Eeckhoudt, Louis & Schlesinger, Harris, 2008. "Changes in risk and the demand for saving," Journal of Monetary Economics, Elsevier, vol. 55(7), pages 1329-1336, October.
    11. Hubbard, R. Glenn & Skinner, Jonathan & Zeldes, Stephen P., 1994. "The importance of precautionary motives in explaining individual and aggregate saving," Carnegie-Rochester Conference Series on Public Policy, Elsevier, vol. 40(1), pages 59-125, June.
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    Cited by:

    1. Augustine Kwadwo Yeboah, 2019. "Drivers of Savings Account Ownership Status: A Cross-Sectional Analysis from Ghana," Journal of Social and Development Sciences, AMH International, vol. 10(1), pages 51-60.
    2. Antelo, Manel & Magdalena, Pilar & Reboredo, Juan C., 2017. "Economic crisis and the unemployment effect on household food expenditure: The case of Spain," Food Policy, Elsevier, vol. 69(C), pages 11-24.
    3. Thomas Triebs & Subal C. Kumbhakar, 2012. "Management Practice in Production," ifo Working Paper Series 129, ifo Institute - Leibniz Institute for Economic Research at the University of Munich.
    4. Marcus Klemm, 2012. "Job Security Perceptions and the Saving Behavior of German Households," Ruhr Economic Papers 0380, Rheinisch-Westfälisches Institut für Wirtschaftsforschung, Ruhr-Universität Bochum, Universität Dortmund, Universität Duisburg-Essen.
    5. repec:zbw:rwirep:0380 is not listed on IDEAS
    6. Stefan Arent, 2012. "Erwartungen und Sparen: wie wirken Arbeitslosigkeits- und Gesundheitserwartungen auf die Sparentscheidung von Haushalten?," ifo Dresden berichtet, ifo Institute - Leibniz Institute for Economic Research at the University of Munich, vol. 19(02), pages 13-18, April.
    7. Klemm, Marcus, 2012. "Job Security Perceptions and the Saving Behavior of German Households," Ruhr Economic Papers 380, RWI - Leibniz-Institut für Wirtschaftsforschung, Ruhr-University Bochum, TU Dortmund University, University of Duisburg-Essen.

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    More about this item

    JEL classification:

    • D12 - Microeconomics - - Household Behavior - - - Consumer Economics: Empirical Analysis
    • D14 - Microeconomics - - Household Behavior - - - Household Saving; Personal Finance
    • D31 - Microeconomics - - Distribution - - - Personal Income and Wealth Distribution
    • D84 - Microeconomics - - Information, Knowledge, and Uncertainty - - - Expectations; Speculations
    • D91 - Microeconomics - - Micro-Based Behavioral Economics - - - Role and Effects of Psychological, Emotional, Social, and Cognitive Factors on Decision Making

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