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Uninsurable Income Risk and the Welfare Effects of Reducing Global Imbalances

Author

Listed:
  • Ayse Dur
  • Andrew Glover
  • Jacek Rothert

Abstract

We highlight the welfare effect of policies that balance global current accounts when households face uninsurable income risk and borrowing constraints. Subsidizing savings in debtor economies reduces current account imbalances and raises the welfare of almost all citizens by increasing world capital, raising wages, and improving insurance for low-wealth households. The same balancing of current accounts is achieved by taxing savings in lender economies; however, this policy hurts most households by reducing global capital. These results suggest that balancing global imbalances may be a positive byproduct of raising investment rates, especially in debtor countries.

Suggested Citation

  • Ayse Dur & Andrew Glover & Jacek Rothert, 2024. "Uninsurable Income Risk and the Welfare Effects of Reducing Global Imbalances," Research Working Paper RWP 24-02, Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City.
    • Handle: RePEc:fip:fedkrw:97779
    DOI: 10.18651/RWP2024-02
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Keywords

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    JEL classification:

    • E2 - Macroeconomics and Monetary Economics - - Consumption, Saving, Production, Employment, and Investment
    • E44 - Macroeconomics and Monetary Economics - - Money and Interest Rates - - - Financial Markets and the Macroeconomy
    • F32 - International Economics - - International Finance - - - Current Account Adjustment; Short-term Capital Movements
    • F36 - International Economics - - International Finance - - - Financial Aspects of Economic Integration
    • F4 - International Economics - - Macroeconomic Aspects of International Trade and Finance

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