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Macroeconomic stabilisation properties of a euro area unemployment insurance scheme

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  • Kaufmann, Christoph
  • Attinasi, Maria Grazia
  • Hauptmeier, Sebastian

Abstract

In this paper we use a medium-scale DSGE model to quantitatively assess the macroeconomic stabilisation properties of a supranational unemployment insurance scheme. The model is calibrated to the euro area’s core and periphery and features a rich fiscal sector, sovereign risk premia and labour market frictions. Adopting both simple policy rules and optimal policies for the centralised insurance scheme, our simulations point to enhanced business cycle synchronisation and inter-regional consumption smoothing. The results suggest a sizeable reduction in the volatility of macroeconomic aggregates at the region-level, while the cross-regional correlation of unemployment and inflation increases significantly, compared to the decentralised setting. The higher degree of inter-regional risk-sharing comes at the cost of sizable fiscal transfers. Limiting such transfers via claw-back mechanisms reduces the degree of stabilisation across countries.

Suggested Citation

  • Kaufmann, Christoph & Attinasi, Maria Grazia & Hauptmeier, Sebastian, 2023. "Macroeconomic stabilisation properties of a euro area unemployment insurance scheme," Journal of Economic Dynamics and Control, Elsevier, vol. 153(C).
  • Handle: RePEc:eee:dyncon:v:153:y:2023:i:c:s0165188923001045
    DOI: 10.1016/j.jedc.2023.104698
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Monetary union; Fiscal union; Unemployment insurance; Optimal policy;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • F45 - International Economics - - Macroeconomic Aspects of International Trade and Finance - - - Macroeconomic Issues of Monetary Unions
    • E63 - Macroeconomics and Monetary Economics - - Macroeconomic Policy, Macroeconomic Aspects of Public Finance, and General Outlook - - - Comparative or Joint Analysis of Fiscal and Monetary Policy; Stabilization; Treasury Policy
    • E62 - Macroeconomics and Monetary Economics - - Macroeconomic Policy, Macroeconomic Aspects of Public Finance, and General Outlook - - - Fiscal Policy; Modern Monetary Theory
    • E24 - Macroeconomics and Monetary Economics - - Consumption, Saving, Production, Employment, and Investment - - - Employment; Unemployment; Wages; Intergenerational Income Distribution; Aggregate Human Capital; Aggregate Labor Productivity

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