Using panel data of 17 OECD countries for 1980-2011, we find that the distributional consequences of fiscal consolidations depend significantly on the level of private indebtedness. Austerity leads to a strong and persistent increase in income inequality during periods of private debt overhang....

The fiscal consolidation efforts of Spain, Italy, and Portugal from 2010 to 2014 did not achieve their goal of reducing the debt-to-GDP ratio in any of the three countries. This Economic Bulletin examines why the spending cuts and tax increases, at times drastic, were unsuccessful and...

Die von Spanien, Italien und Portugal zwischen 2010 und 2014 unternommenen fiskalischen Konsolidierungsanstrengungen haben entgegen ihrem Ziel nicht zu einer Reduzierung der Staatsschuldenquote dieser drei Länder geführt. Dieser Wochenbericht untersucht, warum die teilweise drastischen...

This study provides empirical evidence that the costs of austerity crucially depend on the level of private indebtedness. In particular, fiscal consolidations lead to severe contractions when implemented in high private debt states. Contrary, fiscal consolidations have no significant effect on...

The fiscal consolidation efforts of Spain, Italy, and Portugal from 2010 to 2014 did not achieve their goal of reducing the debt-to-GDP ratio in any of the three countries. This Economic Bulletin examines why the spending cuts and tax increases, at times drastic, were unsuccessful and...

Die von Spanien, Italien und Portugal zwischen 2010 und 2014 unternommenen fiskalischen Konsolidierungsanstrengungen haben entgegen ihrem Ziel nicht zu einer Reduzierung der Staatsschuldenquote dieser drei Länder geführt. Dieser Wochenbericht untersucht, warum die teilweise drastischen...

Using panel data of 17 OECD countries for 1980-2011, we find that the distributional consequences of fiscal consolidations depend significantly on the level of private indebtedness. Austerity leads to a strong and persistent increase in income inequality during periods of private debt overhang....

This study provides empirical evidence that the costs of austerity crucially depend on the level of private indebtedness. In particular, fiscal consolidations lead to severe contractions when implemented in high private debt states. Contrary, fiscal consolidations have no significant effect on...