The VATTAGE Regional Model VERM - A Dynamic, Regional, Applied General Equilibrium Model of the Finn

Juha Honkatukia

No 171, Research Reports from VATT Institute for Economic Research

Abstract: Applied general equilibrium models have become a standard tool for the analysis of structural policies in many countries and international research organisations. Their use has been prompted by both developments in economics, but also on the growing need for quantitative policy analysis. The analysis of actual policy options mandates the use of numerical methods, but there are several other reasons to suggest the use of AGE models in particular. Chief among these is the applicability of models that rely on explicit optimisation on the analysis of welfare impacts of structural policies. It may also be the case that many policy issues are intractable by theoretical models, for example, when the policies concern several sectors or regions of the economy, or involve contradicting effects. This report describes the VERM model used in VATT, the Government Institute for Economic Research. The model has been used to study the effects of various tax policies, regional policies, and environmental policies on the economy. Lately, the model has seen extensive use in the anticipation of regional development, especially in the labour markets. The report contains a full description of the model code and its underlying theory. With the help of examples, it also shows how simulation results can be interpreted.

Keywords: AGE models, simulation models, yleisen tasapainot mallit, Economic growth, Taloudellinen kasvu, Energy, Energia, Macroeconomic policy, Talouspolitiikka, Public services, Julkiset palvelut, Regional development, Aluekehitys, Policy analysis and modelling, Päätöksenteon tuki ja mallintaminen, C680 - Computable General Equilibrium Models, E600 - Macroeconomic Policy Formation; Macroeconomic Aspects of Public Finance; Macroeconomic Policy; General Outlook: General, H200 - Taxation, Subsidies, and Revenue: General, H300 - Fiscal Policies and Behavior of Economic Agents: General, R130 - General Equilibrium and Welfare Economic Analysis of Regional Economies, (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2013
New Economics Papers: this item is included in nep-cmp
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (6)

Downloads: (external link)
https://www.doria.fi/handle/10024/148709

Related works:
This item may be available elsewhere in EconPapers: Search for items with the same title.

Export reference: BibTeX RIS (EndNote, ProCite, RefMan) HTML/Text

Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:fer:resrep:171

Ordering information: This working paper can be ordered from

Access Statistics for this paper

More papers in Research Reports from VATT Institute for Economic Research Contact information at EDIRC.
Bibliographic data for series maintained by Anita Niskanen ().