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The Impact of Disguised Unemployment over Fiscal Multipliers in Brazil (2012-2024)

Author

Listed:
  • Henrique Salviano Fernandes
  • Jose Luis Oreiro

Abstract

This paper investigates the relationship between the fiscal multiplier and disguised unemployment in Brazil, focusing on the effectiveness of fiscal policies in scenarios of underutilization of the workforce. Based on a review of pre-existing literature for calculating disguised unemployment in Brazil and the application of a vector autoregressive (VAR) model, the impacts of fiscal shocks on GDP and the rates of open and disguised unemployment were analyzed. Data suggests the existence of disguised unemployment in Brazil, especially in the traditional services sector. In addition, the results indicate that investment and other expenditures shocks have the highest positive fiscal multipliers, while payroll expenditures have a negative impact. Finally, the analysis also highlights that fiscal policies aimed at increasing income transfers could be a viable way of reducing disguised unemployment.

Suggested Citation

  • Henrique Salviano Fernandes & Jose Luis Oreiro, 2025. "The Impact of Disguised Unemployment over Fiscal Multipliers in Brazil (2012-2024)," Working Papers PKWP2502, Post Keynesian Economics Society (PKES).
    • Handle: RePEc:pke:wpaper:pkwp2502
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Keywords

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    JEL classification:

    • E24 - Macroeconomics and Monetary Economics - - Consumption, Saving, Production, Employment, and Investment - - - Employment; Unemployment; Wages; Intergenerational Income Distribution; Aggregate Human Capital; Aggregate Labor Productivity
    • E26 - Macroeconomics and Monetary Economics - - Consumption, Saving, Production, Employment, and Investment - - - Informal Economy; Underground Economy
    • H30 - Public Economics - - Fiscal Policies and Behavior of Economic Agents - - - General
    • J01 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - General - - - Labor Economics: General
    • J64 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Mobility, Unemployment, Vacancies, and Immigrant Workers - - - Unemployment: Models, Duration, Incidence, and Job Search

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