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The Effects of COVID-19 Policies on Consumer Spending in Norway

Author

Listed:
  • Fenella Carpena

    (Oslo Business School, Oslo Metropolitan University)

  • Laurens Swinkels

    (Erasmus University Rotterdam (EUR); Robeco Asset Management)

  • Dan Zhang

    (Oslo Business School, Oslo Metropolitan University)

Abstract

This paper examines the effect of COVID-19 policies on consumer spending using bank card transaction data from Norway. Taking advantage of variation in COVID-19 policies over time and across space in the four largest municipalities in the country, we investigate the heterogeneity of effects of policies in their number and type. First, we document that the number of restrictions is negatively correlated with spending and exhibits decreasing marginal effects. Second, restrictions do not affect all types of spending equally: restrictions tend to have larger impacts on the sector in which it is targeted. Finally, we find evidence from a difference-in-differences estimation that supports a causal interpretation of our results.

Suggested Citation

  • Fenella Carpena & Laurens Swinkels & Dan Zhang, 2023. "The Effects of COVID-19 Policies on Consumer Spending in Norway," Working Papers 202302, Oslo Metropolitan University, Oslo Business School.
  • Handle: RePEc:oml:wpaper:202302
    DOI: 10.2139/ssrn.4497685
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Expenditure; Consumption; COVID-19; pandemic;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • C83 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Data Collection and Data Estimation Methodology; Computer Programs - - - Survey Methods; Sampling Methods
    • D12 - Microeconomics - - Household Behavior - - - Consumer Economics: Empirical Analysis
    • E21 - Macroeconomics and Monetary Economics - - Consumption, Saving, Production, Employment, and Investment - - - Consumption; Saving; Wealth

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