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The Great Moderation at 40: learning from the cross section

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  • Stracca, Livio

Abstract

This study examines the drivers of inflation levels, inflation variability, and growth variability collectively representing long-term central bank performance across 37 advanced economies in the Great Moderation era. A key finding is that central bank performance is consistently linked to the overall quality of institutions, while central bank-specific factors such as independence, exchange rate regimes, or inflation targeting show no significant impact. The analysis is extended to the 2022 inflation resurgence, using pre-2022 country characteristics. The results indicate that reliance on imports from Russia (likely gas) and its interaction with post-COVID GDP growth are the primary determinants, suggesting that the inflation surge was not a reversal of the Great Moderation. JEL Classification: E31, E32, E52

Suggested Citation

  • Stracca, Livio, 2025. "The Great Moderation at 40: learning from the cross section," Working Paper Series 3124, European Central Bank.
    • Handle: RePEc:ecb:ecbwps:20253124
    Note: 335958
    as

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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. 40年を迎えた大平穏期：横断面分析から分かること
      by himaginary in himaginaryの日記 on 2025-10-11 14:59:00

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    Keywords

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    JEL classification:

    • E31 - Macroeconomics and Monetary Economics - - Prices, Business Fluctuations, and Cycles - - - Price Level; Inflation; Deflation
    • E32 - Macroeconomics and Monetary Economics - - Prices, Business Fluctuations, and Cycles - - - Business Fluctuations; Cycles
    • E52 - Macroeconomics and Monetary Economics - - Monetary Policy, Central Banking, and the Supply of Money and Credit - - - Monetary Policy

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