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Fiscal consolidation and asymmetric macroeconomic effects: Evidence from Sub-Saharan African countries

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  • Badru, Ruth
  • Calef, Andrea
  • Ilori, Ayobami E.
  • Omoju, Oluwasola E.

Abstract

This paper examines the macroeconomic effects of fiscal consolidation in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), addressing the region's rising debt levels and constrained fiscal space. Existing literature has explored fiscal policy's cyclical behaviour and structural constraints; however, gaps remain in understanding the heterogeneous effects of consolidation across debt levels, economic phases, and country classifications. Using the local projection approach on annual data from 1995 to 2022 for a panel of 37 SSA countries, we find that fiscal consolidation has an expansionary effect on output while reducing the debt-to-GDP ratio, with stronger impacts in highly indebted, resource-rich, and institutionally weak economies. Furthermore, expenditure-based adjustments outperform revenue-based measures, particularly during recessions, where effects are deep but short-lived, compared to milder but persistent impacts during expansions. These findings offer new insights into how debt levels and resource endowments shape fiscal outcomes, guiding targeted, context-sensitive strategies to balance growth and debt sustainability in SSA.

Suggested Citation

  • Badru, Ruth & Calef, Andrea & Ilori, Ayobami E. & Omoju, Oluwasola E., 2025. "Fiscal consolidation and asymmetric macroeconomic effects: Evidence from Sub-Saharan African countries," Economic Modelling, Elsevier, vol. 147(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:ecmode:v:147:y:2025:i:c:s0264999325000471
    DOI: 10.1016/j.econmod.2025.107052
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    Keywords

    Fiscal consolidation; Macroeconomic effects; Local projection; Nonlinearities; Sub-Saharan Africa;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • E32 - Macroeconomics and Monetary Economics - - Prices, Business Fluctuations, and Cycles - - - Business Fluctuations; Cycles
    • 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
    • E65 - Macroeconomics and Monetary Economics - - Macroeconomic Policy, Macroeconomic Aspects of Public Finance, and General Outlook - - - Studies of Particular Policy Episodes

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