Are African Current Account Deficits Different? Stylized Facts, Transitory Shocks, and Decomposition Analysis

Author/Editor:

Luisa Zanforlin ; César Calderón ; Alberto Chong

Publication Date:

January 1, 2001

Electronic Access:

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Disclaimer: This Working Paper should not be reported as representing the views of the IMF.The views expressed in this Working Paper are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily represent those of the IMF or IMF policy. Working Papers describe research in progress by the author(s) and are published to elicit comments and to further debate

Summary:

This paper analyzes the behavior of current account deficits in Africa and estimates whether the deficits are excessive with respect to fundamentals. The findings are the deficits are (i) not very persistent; (ii) positively linked with domestic growth; (iii) strongly linked with public (and private) savings, suggesting that fiscal consolidation in IMF-supported programs may be relatively effective; (iv) linked with aid flows, so as to close the external gap, and (v) linked with currency depreciation and the terms of trade. The deficit is "excessive," as it is almost 3 percent of the gross national disposable income above the equilibrium level.

Series:

Working Paper No. 2001/004

Subject:

English

Publication Date:

January 1, 2001

ISBN/ISSN:

9781451842043/1018-5941

Stock No:

WPIEA0042001

Pages:

40

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