Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item: https://hdl.handle.net/10419/212238 
Year of Publication: 
2012
Series/Report no.: 
Bank of Finland Research Discussion Papers No. 35/2012
Publisher: 
Bank of Finland, Helsinki
Abstract: 
This study explores real time uncertainty in euro area fiscal policies since the late 1990s. Using real time data from the OECD Economic Outlook publications we investigate the impact of real time uncertainty on fiscal planning and debt accumulation separately for two country groups in the euro area: countries in geographical periphery (Greece, Ireland, Italy, Portugal and Spain) and other euro area countries (Austria, Belgium, Finland, France, Germany and the Netherlands). The results indicate that real time uncertainty substantially affects fiscal planning. Ex ante fiscal plans have generally been long-term oriented and counter-cyclical in the euro area, but in the periphery countries policies have been more sensitive to economic cycles and less long-term oriented than in the other countries. We find evidence that high indebtedness in the periphery countries cannot be explained by short-term pro-cyclical ex ante fiscal planning. Instead, high initial debt ratios, policy changes after the budget-planning stage and cumulated macroeconomic imbalances have contributed substantially to accumulated debt ratios. Overall, reliable statistics, balanced macroeconomic developments and longer-term policy orientation, which are central in the new EU fiscal framework, are crucial for sound and sustainable public finances.
Subjects: 
fiscal policy
debt accumulation
real time data
cyclical sensitivity
economic crisis
JEL: 
E62
E32
Persistent Identifier of the first edition: 
ISBN: 
978-952-462-830-3
Document Type: 
Working Paper

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