Commodity Price Volatility, Fiscal Balance and Real Interest Rate
38 Pages Posted: 3 Sep 2020
Date Written: September 1, 2020
Abstract
The objective of this study is to explore the impact of commodity price volatility on the governments’ fiscal balance. Using a dynamic panel data model for 108 countries from 1993 to 2018, this study finds that governments’ fiscal balance deteriorates with commodity price volatility. A one standard deviation increase in commodity price volatility leads to a reduction of approximately 0.04 units in the fiscal balance as a percentage of gross domestic product. In addition, we examine the role of real interest rates in influencing the relationship between commodity price volatility and fiscal balance. The empirical results suggest that the negative impact of commodity price volatility on fiscal balance can be mitigated with lower real interest rate.
Keywords: Commodity prices, commodity price volatility, fiscal balance, real interest rate
JEL Classification: E58, E62, G01
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