Pooling Risk Among Countries

Jean Imbs and Paolo Mauro

No 6461, CEPR Discussion Papers from C.E.P.R. Discussion Papers

Abstract: We identify the groups of countries where international risk-sharing opportunities are most attractive. We show that the bulk of risk-sharing gains can be achieved in groups consisting of as few as seven members, and that further marginal benefits quickly become negligible. For many such small groups, the welfare gains associated with risk sharing are far larger than Lucas¡¦s classic calibration suggested for the United States, under similar assumptions on utility. Why do we not observe more arrangements of this type? Our results suggest that large welfare gains can only be achieved within groups where contracts are relatively difficult to enforce. International diversification can thus yield substantial gains, but they may remain untapped owing to potential partners¡¦weak institutional quality and a history of default on international obligations. Noting that existing risk-sharing arrangements often have a regional dimension, we speculate that shared economic interests such as common trade may help sustain such arrangements, though risk-sharing gains are smaller when membership is constrained on a regional basis.

Keywords: Diversification; Enforceability; Risk sharing (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: E21 E32 F41 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2007-09
New Economics Papers: this item is included in nep-mac and nep-upt
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (17)

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Related works:
Journal Article: Pooling risk among countries (2015)
Working Paper: Pooling risk among countries (2015)
Working Paper: Pooling risk among countries (2015)
Working Paper: Pooling risk among countries (2015)
Working Paper: Pooling risk among countries (2015)
Working Paper: Pooling Risk Among Countries (2007)
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