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Capital will not become more expensive as the world ages

Author

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  • Bussolo, Maurizio
  • Lim, Jamus Jerome
  • Maliszewska, Maryla
  • Timmer, Hans

Abstract

Aging of populations and convergence between developed and developing countries in per capita incomes are shaping the evolution of saving, investment, capital flows, and, in particular, the cost of capital. When considering these trends, the existing literature argues for either continued, low interest rates, or sharply rising ones. This paper presents an alternative view: modest rises in interest rates, which result from a combination of increases in the global weight of high-saving developing economies (limiting declines in global saving), and decelerations in the rate of growth in developing countries (constraining upward pressure in global investment). For the majority of countries, slowing capital demand resulting from decelerating growth, coupled with structural changes that influence its attractiveness as a destination for capital, moderate increases in interest rates. Changes in key assumptions do not alter this view. More specifically, the small rise in interest rates persists even in a scenario where growth in developing countries decelerates more slowly, or when elasticities governing the behavior of saving and investment are varied.

Suggested Citation

  • Bussolo, Maurizio & Lim, Jamus Jerome & Maliszewska, Maryla & Timmer, Hans, 2014. "Capital will not become more expensive as the world ages," Policy Research Working Paper Series 6989, The World Bank.
    • Handle: RePEc:wbk:wbrwps:6989
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Axel Börsch-Supan & Alexander Ludwig & Joachim Winter, 2006. "Ageing, Pension Reform and Capital Flows: A Multi-Country Simulation Model," Economica, London School of Economics and Political Science, vol. 73(292), pages 625-658, November.
    2. Bloom, David E. & Canning, David & Mansfield, Richard K. & Moore, Michael, 2007. "Demographic change, social security systems, and savings," Journal of Monetary Economics, Elsevier, vol. 54(1), pages 92-114, January.
    3. Elena Ianchovichina & Will Martin, 2004. "Impacts of China's Accession to the World Trade Organization," World Bank Economic Review, World Bank Group, vol. 18(1), pages 3-27.
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Emerging Markets; Economic Theory&Research; Access to Finance; Investment and Investment Climate; Debt Markets;

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