Welfare Cost of (Low) Inflation: A General Equilibrium Perspective
August 1, 1998
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Summary
This paper provides general equilibrium estimates of the steady-state welfare gains of lowering inflation from a low level to close to price stability, using an overlapping-generations growth model. Money demand is modeled on the basis that real money balances are a factor of production. Assuming a standard Fisher equation modified by the presence of an income tax, it is found that inflation unambiguously reduces capital intensity, drives up the before-tax real rate of return to capital, and unambiguously imposes a life-time welfare cost. This welfare cost is, however, quantitatively very modest (under 0.2 percent of GDP annually) within reasonable ranges of all parameter values.
Subject: Budget planning and preparation, Consumption, Demand for money, Inflation, Monetary base
Keywords: inflation rate, rate of return, WP
Pages:
21
Volume:
1998
DOI:
Issue:
111
Series:
Working Paper No. 1998/111
Stock No:
WPIEA1111998
ISBN:
9781451853445
ISSN:
1018-5941
