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Debt Reduction, Fiscal Adjustment, and Growth in Credit-Constrained Economies

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  • Mr. Emanuele Baldacci
  • Mr. Sanjeev Gupta
  • Mr. Carlos Mulas-Granados

Abstract

This paper assesses the effects of fiscal consolidations associated with public debt reduction on medium-term output growth during periods of private debt deleveraging. The analysis covers 107 countries and 79 episodes of public debt reduction driven by discretionary fiscal adjustments during 1980–2012. It shows that expenditure-based, front-loaded fiscal adjustments can dampen growth when there are credit supply restrictions. Instead, fiscal adjustments that are gradual and rely on a mix of revenue and expenditure measures can support output expansion, while reducing public debt. In this context, protecting public investment is critical for medium-term growth, as is the implementation of supply-side, productivity-enhancing reforms.

Suggested Citation

  • Mr. Emanuele Baldacci & Mr. Sanjeev Gupta & Mr. Carlos Mulas-Granados, 2013. "Debt Reduction, Fiscal Adjustment, and Growth in Credit-Constrained Economies," IMF Working Papers 2013/238, International Monetary Fund.
    • Handle: RePEc:imf:imfwpa:2013/238
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    2. International Monetary Fund, 2014. "Sri Lanka: Selected Issues," IMF Staff Country Reports 2014/286, International Monetary Fund.
    3. Sofia Semik & Lilli Zimmermann, 2022. "Determinants of substantial public debt reductions in Central and Eastern European Countries," Empirica, Springer;Austrian Institute for Economic Research;Austrian Economic Association, vol. 49(1), pages 53-70, February.
    4. Eugene Msizi BUTHELEZI, 2023. "Impact of Fiscal Consolidation on Government Debt in South Africa: Evidence to Structural and Cyclical Effect," Journal of Economics and Financial Analysis, Tripal Publishing House, vol. 7(2), pages 1-23.
    5. Comín, Francisco & Cuevas, Joaquim, 2017. "The Deadly Embrace Between The Banks And The State In Spain, 1850-2015," Revista de Historia Económica / Journal of Iberian and Latin American Economic History, Cambridge University Press, vol. 35(3), pages 387-414, December.
    6. Martin Gächter & Martin Geiger & Florentin Glötzl & Helene Schuberth, 2015. "Sectoral Deleveraging in Europe and Its Economic Implications," Focus on European Economic Integration, Oesterreichische Nationalbank (Austrian Central Bank), issue 1, pages 8-23.
    7. Kleis, Mischa & Moessinger, Marc-Daniel, 2016. "The long-run effect of fiscal consolidation on economic growth: Evidence from quantitative case studies," ZEW Discussion Papers 16-047, ZEW - Leibniz Centre for European Economic Research, revised 2016.

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