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Real Exchange Rates, Income per Capita, and Sectoral Input Shares

Author

Listed:
  • Javier Cravino

    (University of Michigan and NBER)

  • Samuel E. Haltenhof

    (University of Michigan)

Abstract

Aggregate price levels are positively related to GDP per capita across countries. We propose a mechanism that rationalizes this observation through sectorial differences in intermediate input shares. As aggregate productivity and income grow, so do wages relative to intermediate input prices, which increases the relative price of non-tradables if tradable sectors use intermediate inputs more intensively. We show that sectorial differences in intermediate input shares can account for two thirds of the observed elasticity of the aggregate price level with respect to GDP per capita. The mechanism has stark implications for industry-level real exchange rates that are strongly supported by the data.

Suggested Citation

  • Javier Cravino & Samuel E. Haltenhof, 2017. "Real Exchange Rates, Income per Capita, and Sectoral Input Shares," Working Papers 659, Research Seminar in International Economics, University of Michigan.
    • Handle: RePEc:mie:wpaper:659
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. Urzúa, Carlos M., 2020. "The Balassa-Samuelson and the capital-intensity hypotheses in a nutshell," Research in Economics, Elsevier, vol. 74(4), pages 336-343.
    2. Crucini, Mario J. & Yilmazkuday, Hakan, 2014. "Understanding long-run price dispersion," Journal of Monetary Economics, Elsevier, vol. 66(C), pages 226-240.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Real exchange rates; aggregate price levels;

    JEL classification:

    • F31 - International Economics - - International Finance - - - Foreign Exchange
    • F41 - International Economics - - Macroeconomic Aspects of International Trade and Finance - - - Open Economy Macroeconomics

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