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Does Government Spending Crowd Out Private Consumption and Investment?

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  • Davide Furceri
  • Ricardo M. Sousa

Abstract

This paper reviews the theoretical and empirical literature on the existence of crowding-out versus crowding-in effects. It also provides some new empirical evidence on the effect of changes in government spending on private consumption and investment by using a panel of 145 countries from 1960 to 2007. We find that government spending crowds out both private consumption and investment. In addition, we show that this result does not depend on the phase of the business cycle, but differs substantially among regions. We also find that the crowding-out effects are larger in the event of expansionary changes.

Suggested Citation

  • Davide Furceri & Ricardo M. Sousa, 2011. "Does Government Spending Crowd Out Private Consumption and Investment?," World Economics, World Economics, 1 Ivory Square, Plantation Wharf, London, United Kingdom, SW11 3UE, vol. 12(4), pages 153-170, October.
    • Handle: RePEc:wej:wldecn:500
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    1. Agnello, Luca & Furceri, Davide & Sousa, Ricardo M., 2013. "How best to measure discretionary fiscal policy? Assessing its impact on private spending," Economic Modelling, Elsevier, vol. 34(C), pages 15-24.

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