This article studies the contribution of real interest rate divergence to the dynamics of the relative price of non-tradables within Europe. Extending the traditional Balassa–Samueslon effect, it shows that the real interest rate fall in the Euro area (EA) periphery following the single...

In this paper, we discuss the consequences of taking into account the variations of the natural real interest rate (r t *) in simple monetary policy rules. We also provide one possible model-based analysis of the level of r t * that has prevailed in the euro area since the early 1970s, and...