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The Real Exchange Rate Always Floats

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  • Thorvaldur Gylfason

Abstract

This paper makes two main points. First, irrespective of nominal exchange rate arrangements, the real exchange rate always floats — if not through nominal exchange rate adjustment, then through price change. Further, because prices and wages tend to be sticky, the adjustment of real exchange rates towards long–run equilibrium takes time, as witnessed by long–lasting currency misalignments around the world. In second place, real exchange rates are rather likely to fluctuate on their way towards long–run equilibrium because of the dynamic interaction between real exchange rates and the current account or, put differently, because the structure of lags with which exchange rates impact the volume of exports and imports may give rise to oscillatory behaviour.

Suggested Citation

  • Thorvaldur Gylfason, 2002. "The Real Exchange Rate Always Floats," Australian Economic Papers, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 41(4), pages 369-381, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:bla:ausecp:v:41:y:2002:i:4:p:369-381
    DOI: 10.1111/1467-8454.00171
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    Cited by:

    1. Sokolov, Yuri, 2010. "Business cycle effects on portfolio credit risk: A simple FX Adjustment for a factor model," MPRA Paper 27222, University Library of Munich, Germany.
    2. Mr. Nils O Maehle & Ms. Haimanot Teferra & Armine Khachatryan, 2013. "Exchange Rate Liberalization in Selected Sub-Saharan African Countries Successes, Failures, and Lessons," IMF Working Papers 2013/032, International Monetary Fund.
    3. Boris A. Luna Acevedo, 2011. "La apreciación del tipo de cambio y su efecto en la balanza comercial. Caso boliviano (2006 - 2008)," Revista de Análisis del BCB, Banco Central de Bolivia, vol. 15(2), pages 45-96, December.
    4. Holtemöller, Oliver & Mallick, Sushanta, 2013. "Exchange rate regime, real misalignment and currency crises," Economic Modelling, Elsevier, vol. 34(C), pages 5-14.
    5. Kiptui, Moses C. & Ndirangu, Lydia, 2015. "Determinants of Equilibrium Real Exchange Rate and its Misalignment in Kenya: A Behavioral Equilibrium Exchange Rate Approach," MPRA Paper 70542, University Library of Munich, Germany, revised 06 Apr 2016.
    6. Eita, Joel Hinaunye & Khumalo, Zitsile Zamantungwa & Choga, Ireen, 2020. "Empirical test of the Balassa-Samuelson effect in selected African countries," MPRA Paper 101495, University Library of Munich, Germany.
    7. nnamdi, Kelechi & ifionu, Ebele, 2013. "Exchange rate volatility and exchange rate uncertainty in Nigeria: a financial econometric analysis (1970- 2012)," MPRA Paper 48316, University Library of Munich, Germany, revised 2013.

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    JEL classification:

    • F31 - International Economics - - International Finance - - - Foreign Exchange

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