Real Convergence, Price Level Convergence and Inflation Differentials in Europe

Balázs Égert

No wp895, William Davidson Institute Working Papers Series from William Davidson Institute at the University of Michigan

Abstract: This paper provides a comprehensive review of the factors that can cause price levels to diverge and which are at the root of different inflation rates in Europe including the EU-27. Among others, we study the structural and cyclical factors influencing market and non-marketbased service, house and goods prices, and we summarise some stylised facts emerging from descriptive statistics. Subsequently, we set out the possible mismatches between price level convergence and inflation rates. Having described in detail the underlying economic factors, we proceed to demonstrate the relative importance of these factors on observed inflation rates first in an accounting framework and then by relying on panel estimations. Our estimation results provide the obituary notice for the Balassa-Samuelson effect. Nevertheless, we show that other factors related to economic convergence may push up inflation rates in transition economies. Cyclical effects and regulated prices are found to be important drivers of inflation rates in an enlarged Europe. House prices matter to some extent in the euro area, whereas the exchange rate plays a prominent (but declining) role in transition economies.

Keywords: price level; inflation; Balassa-Samuelson; tradables; house prices; regulated prices; Europe; transition (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: C22 E43 E50 E52 G21 O52 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Pages: pages
Date: 2007-11-01
New Economics Papers: this item is included in nep-cba, nep-eec, nep-mac and nep-tra
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (20)

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Related works:
Working Paper: Real Convergence, Price Level Convergence and Inflation Differentials in Europe (2007)
Working Paper: Real Convergence, Price Level Convergence and Inflation Differentials in Europe (2007)
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