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Low Inflation Bends the Phillips Curve around the World

Author

Listed:
  • Kristin J. Forbes

    (MIT Sloan School of Management)

  • Joseph E. Gagnon

    (Peterson Institute for International Economics)

  • Christopher G. Collins

    (Peterson Institute for International Economics)

Abstract

This paper models inflation by combining the multicountry framework of one of its authors (Forbes) with the nonlinear specification proposed by the other two (Gagnon and Collins). The results find strong support for a Phillips curve that becomes nonlinear when inflation is low, in which case excess economic slack has little effect on inflation. This finding is consistent with evidence of downward nominal wage and price rigidity. The estimates also show a significant and economically meaningful Phillips curve relationship between slack and inflation when slack is negative (i.e., when output is above long-run potential). In this nonlinear model, international factors play a large role in explaining headline inflation, a role that has increased over time, supporting the results of Forbes’ linear model.

Suggested Citation

  • Kristin J. Forbes & Joseph E. Gagnon & Christopher G. Collins, 2020. "Low Inflation Bends the Phillips Curve around the World," Working Paper Series WP20-6, Peterson Institute for International Economics.
    • Handle: RePEc:iie:wpaper:wp20-6
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    Keywords

    Economic slack; globalization; output gap; price dynamics;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • E31 - Macroeconomics and Monetary Economics - - Prices, Business Fluctuations, and Cycles - - - Price Level; Inflation; Deflation
    • E37 - Macroeconomics and Monetary Economics - - Prices, Business Fluctuations, and Cycles - - - Forecasting and Simulation: Models and Applications
    • E52 - Macroeconomics and Monetary Economics - - Monetary Policy, Central Banking, and the Supply of Money and Credit - - - Monetary Policy
    • E58 - Macroeconomics and Monetary Economics - - Monetary Policy, Central Banking, and the Supply of Money and Credit - - - Central Banks and Their Policies
    • F62 - International Economics - - Economic Impacts of Globalization - - - Macroeconomic Impacts

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