IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/wsi/jicepx/v07y2016i01ns1793993316500022.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

Government Debt Indicators:Understanding the Data

Author

Listed:
  • Debra Bloch

    (Economics Department, Organisation for Economic, Co-Operation and Development (OECD), 2, rue André Pascal 75775 Paris Cedex 16, France)

  • Falilou Fall

    (Economics Department, Organisation for Economic, Co-Operation and Development (OECD), 2, rue André Pascal 75775 Paris Cedex 16, France)

Abstract

There is no single “best” indicator for analyzing general government debt. This paper examines the various issues in defining and measuring debt, and explores other data which could be useful, both within and beyond the general government debt concept, to better track and analyze fiscal risks and sustainability issues. Measures from the broadest view of debt — gross financial liabilities — to the most comprehensive accounting of asset and liability positions — net worth — are all helpful metrics. Narrower data on specific issues such as future pension liabilities, government guarantees and debt composition are useful indicators as well. Better data reporting, including more complete metadata and broader data collection are needed to allow for an arsenal of comparable debt concepts to better anticipate future fiscal pressures.

Suggested Citation

  • Debra Bloch & Falilou Fall, 2016. "Government Debt Indicators:Understanding the Data," Journal of International Commerce, Economics and Policy (JICEP), World Scientific Publishing Co. Pte. Ltd., vol. 7(01), pages 1-28, February.
    • Handle: RePEc:wsi:jicepx:v:07:y:2016:i:01:n:s1793993316500022
    DOI: 10.1142/S1793993316500022
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: http://www.worldscientific.com/doi/abs/10.1142/S1793993316500022
    Download Restriction: Access to full text is restricted to subscribers
    File URL: https://libkey.io/10.1142/S1793993316500022?utm_source=ideas
    LibKey link: if access is restricted and if your library uses this service, LibKey will redirect you to where you can use your library subscription to access this item
    ---><---

    As the access to this document is restricted, you may want to look for a different version below or search for a different version of it.

    Other versions of this item:

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Charles Yuji Horioka & Takaaki Nomoto & Akiko Terada-Hagiwara, 2013. "Why has Japan’s Massive Government Debt Not Wreaked Havoc (Yet)?," UP School of Economics Discussion Papers 201310, University of the Philippines School of Economics.
    2. George Kopits, 2014. "Coping with fiscal risk: Analysis and practice," OECD Journal on Budgeting, OECD Publishing, vol. 14(1), pages 47-71.
    3. Falilou Fall & Jean-Marc Fournier, 2015. "Macroeconomic uncertainties, prudent debt targets and fiscal rules," OECD Economics Department Working Papers 1230, OECD Publishing.
    4. Sebastian Schich & Byoung-Hwan Kim, 2011. "Guarantee Arrangements for Financial Promises: How Widely Should the Safety Net be Cast?," OECD Journal: Financial Market Trends, OECD Publishing, vol. 2011(1), pages 201-235.
    5. Debra Bloch & Falilou Fall, 2016. "Government Debt Indicators:Understanding the Data," Journal of International Commerce, Economics and Policy (JICEP), World Scientific Publishing Co. Pte. Ltd., vol. 7(01), pages 1-28, February.
    6. Falilou Fall & Debra Bloch & Jean-Marc Fournier & Peter Hoeller, 2015. "Prudent debt targets and fiscal frameworks," OECD Economic Policy Papers 15, OECD Publishing.
    7. Vincent Koen & Paul van den Noord, 2005. "Fiscal Gimmickry in Europe: One-Off Measures and Creative Accounting," OECD Economics Department Working Papers 417, OECD Publishing.
    8. Aliona Cebotari, 2008. "Contingent Liabilities: Issues and Practice," IMF Working Papers 2008/245, International Monetary Fund.
    9. Katja Funke & Tim Irwin & Isabel Rial, 2013. "Budgeting and Reporting for Public-Private Partnerships," International Transport Forum Discussion Papers 2013/7, OECD Publishing.
    10. Łukasz Rawdanowicz & Eckhard Wurzel & Patrice Ollivaud, 2011. "Current Issues in Managing Government Debt and Assets," OECD Economics Department Working Papers 923, OECD Publishing.
    11. Christine de la Maisonneuve & Joaquim Oliveira Martins, 2013. "A Projection Method for Public Health and Long-Term Care Expenditures," OECD Economics Department Working Papers 1048, OECD Publishing.
    12. Hana Polackova Brixi & Allen Schick, 2002. "Government at Risk : Contingent Liabilities and Fiscal Risk," World Bank Publications - Books, The World Bank Group, number 15233.
    13. Fournier, Jean-Marc & Fall, Falilou, 2017. "Limits to government debt sustainability in OECD countries," Economic Modelling, Elsevier, vol. 66(C), pages 30-41.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Citations

    Citations are extracted by the CitEc Project, subscribe to its RSS feed for this item.
    as


    Cited by:

    1. Debra Bloch & Falilou Fall, 2016. "Government Debt Indicators:Understanding the Data," Journal of International Commerce, Economics and Policy (JICEP), World Scientific Publishing Co. Pte. Ltd., vol. 7(01), pages 1-28, February.
    2. Robert Kraemer & Jonne Lehtimäki, 2023. "Government debt: the impact of fiscal rules at the European and national level," Empirica, Springer;Austrian Institute for Economic Research;Austrian Economic Association, vol. 50(3), pages 783-805, August.
    3. Debra Bloch & Jean-Marc Fournier & Duarte Gonçalves & Álvaro Pina, 2016. "Trends in Public Finance: Insights from a New Detailed Dataset," OECD Economics Department Working Papers 1345, OECD Publishing.
    4. Fournier, Jean-Marc & Fall, Falilou, 2017. "Limits to government debt sustainability in OECD countries," Economic Modelling, Elsevier, vol. 66(C), pages 30-41.
    5. Favero, Carlo A. & ,, 2019. "Austerity and Public debt Dynamics," CEPR Discussion Papers 14072, C.E.P.R. Discussion Papers.
    6. Mike Seiferling, 2020. "Apples, oranges and lemons: public sector debt statistics in the 21st century," Financial Innovation, Springer;Southwestern University of Finance and Economics, vol. 6(1), pages 1-17, December.
    7. Christian Dembiermont & Michela Scatigna & Robert Szemere & Bruno Tissot, 2015. "A new database on general government debt," BIS Quarterly Review, Bank for International Settlements, September.
    8. I. Balyuk & И. Балюк А., 2018. "Проблема внешнего долга и мировая финансовая архитектура // External Debt Problem and Global Financial Architecture," Review of Business and Economics Studies // Review of Business and Economics Studies, Финансовый Университет // Financial University, vol. 6(4), pages 18-29.
    9. Akeem Rahaman & Scott Mark Romeo Mahadeo, 2024. "Constructing country-specific debt sustainability indices for developing countries," Working Papers in Economics & Finance 2024-01, University of Portsmouth, Portsmouth Business School, Economics and Finance Subject Group.
    10. Falilou Fall & Debra Bloch & Jean-Marc Fournier & Peter Hoeller, 2015. "Prudent debt targets and fiscal frameworks," OECD Economic Policy Papers 15, OECD Publishing.
    11. Karim McDaniels & Nico Palesch & Sanjam Suri & Zacharie Quiviger & John Walsh, 2021. "Updated Methodology for Assigning Credit Ratings to Sovereigns," Discussion Papers 2021-16, Bank of Canada.

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. Falilou Fall & Debra Bloch & Jean-Marc Fournier & Peter Hoeller, 2015. "Prudent debt targets and fiscal frameworks," OECD Economic Policy Papers 15, OECD Publishing.
    2. Hela Ben Hassine Khalladi, 2019. "Fiscal fatigue, public debt limits and fiscal space in some MENA countries," Economics Bulletin, AccessEcon, vol. 39(2), pages 1005-1017.
    3. Fournier, Jean-Marc & Fall, Falilou, 2017. "Limits to government debt sustainability in OECD countries," Economic Modelling, Elsevier, vol. 66(C), pages 30-41.
    4. Goryunov, Yevgeniy (Горюнов, Евгений), 2016. "Theoretical foundations, properties and interpretation of the budget gap indicators [Теоретические Основы, Свойства И Интерпретация Индикаторов Бюджетного Разрыва]," Ekonomicheskaya Politika / Economic Policy, Russian Presidential Academy of National Economy and Public Administration, vol. 2, pages 112-132, April.
    5. Alexander D. Andryakov, 2018. "International Experience and Russian Practice," Finansovyj žhurnal — Financial Journal, Financial Research Institute, Moscow 125375, Russia, issue 6, pages 59-70, December.
    6. Mikkel Hermansen & Oliver Röhn, 2017. "Economic resilience: The usefulness of early warning indicators in OECD countries," OECD Journal: Economic Studies, OECD Publishing, vol. 2016(1), pages 9-35.
    7. Lankester-Campos, Valerie & Loaiza-Marín, Kerry & Monge-Badilla, Carlos, 2020. "Assessing public debt sustainability for Costa Rica using the fiscal reaction function," Latin American Journal of Central Banking (previously Monetaria), Elsevier, vol. 1(1).
    8. Fernando Blanco & Pablo Saavedra & Friederike Koehler-Geib & Emilia Skrok, 2020. "Fiscal Rules and Economic Size in Latin America and the Caribbean," World Bank Publications - Books, The World Bank Group, number 34417.
    9. Alaa Soliman & Mohammad Aliu Momoh & Ibrahim L. Awad, 2017. "Infrastructure Guarantees: Making It Simple," Economic Studies journal, Bulgarian Academy of Sciences - Economic Research Institute, issue 1, pages 178-202.
    10. Ata Özkaya, 2014. "Hidden Overhang of Domestic Debt and Its Role in the This-Time-Is-Different Syndrome: An Empirical Contingent Liabilities Model," Emerging Markets Finance and Trade, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 50(4), pages 73-94.
    11. Thomas Brändle & Marc Elsener, 2024. "Do fiscal rules matter? A survey of recent evidence," Swiss Journal of Economics and Statistics, Springer;Swiss Society of Economics and Statistics, vol. 160(1), pages 1-38, December.
    12. Antonio Bassanetti & Carlo Cottarelli & Andrea F Presbitero, 2019. "Lost and found: market access and public debt dynamics," Oxford Economic Papers, Oxford University Press, vol. 71(2), pages 445-471.
    13. Delorme, Francois, 2014. "Viabilité et vulnérabilité des finances publiques du Québec à moyen terme : une proposition d’un cadre d’analyse et une évaluation [Sustainability and vulnerability of Québec's public finances in t," MPRA Paper 85050, University Library of Munich, Germany.
    14. Jean-Marc Fournier, 2019. "A Buffer-Stock Model for the Government: Balancing Stability and Sustainability," IMF Working Papers 2019/159, International Monetary Fund.
    15. Abad, Nicolas & Lloyd-Braga, Teresa & Modesto, Leonor, 2020. "The failure of stabilization policy: Balanced-budget fiscal rules in the presence of incompressible public expenditures," Journal of Economic Dynamics and Control, Elsevier, vol. 120(C).
    16. Brändle, Thomas & Elsener, Marc, 2023. "Do fiscal rules matter? A survey on recent evidence," Working papers 2023/07, Faculty of Business and Economics - University of Basel.
    17. Mr. Ian Lienert, 2010. "Should Advanced Countries Adopt a Fiscal Responsibility Law?," IMF Working Papers 2010/254, International Monetary Fund.
    18. Ian Lienert, 2013. "Fiscal Responsibility Laws: Are They Needed?," Journal of International Commerce, Economics and Policy (JICEP), World Scientific Publishing Co. Pte. Ltd., vol. 4(03), pages 1-32.
    19. Sónia Araújo & Stéphanie Guichard, 2018. "Costa Rica: Restoring fiscal sustainability and setting the basis for a more growth-friendly and inclusive fiscal policy," OECD Economics Department Working Papers 1484, OECD Publishing.
    20. Ludovit Odor, 2014. "Fiscal Risk Assessment at the CBR: A Conceptual Framework," Discussion Papers Discussion Paper No. 1/20, Council for Budget Responsibility.

    More about this item

    Keywords

    Public debt; general government accounts; net worth; contingent liabilities;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • E01 - Macroeconomics and Monetary Economics - - General - - - Measurement and Data on National Income and Product Accounts and Wealth; Environmental Accounts
    • E62 - Macroeconomics and Monetary Economics - - Macroeconomic Policy, Macroeconomic Aspects of Public Finance, and General Outlook - - - Fiscal Policy; Modern Monetary Theory
    • H6 - Public Economics - - National Budget, Deficit, and Debt

    Statistics

    Access and download statistics

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:wsi:jicepx:v:07:y:2016:i:01:n:s1793993316500022. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: Tai Tone Lim (email available below). General contact details of provider: http://www.worldscinet.com/jicep/jicep.shtml .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.