Assessing Fiscal Stress

Author/Editor:

Gabriela Dobrescu ; Iva Petrova ; Nazim Belhocine ; Emanuele Baldacci

Publication Date:

May 1, 2011

Electronic Access:

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Summary:

This paper develops a new index which provides early warning signals of fiscal sustainability problems for advanced and emerging economies. Unlike previous studies, the index assesses the determinants of fiscal stress periods, covering public debt default as well as near-default events. The fiscal stress index depends on a parsimonious set of fiscal indicators, aggregated using the approach proposed by Kaminsky, Lizondo and Reinhart (1998). The index is used to assess the build up of fiscal stress over time since the mid-1990s in advanced and emering economies. Fiscal stress has increased recently to record-high levels in advanced countries, reflecting raising solvency risks and financing needs. In emerging economies, risks are lower than in mature economies owing to sounder fiscal fundamentals, but fiscal stress remains higher than before the crisis.

Series:

Working Paper No. 2011/100

Subject:

Financial crises Fiscal risks Government finance statistics Macro-fiscal analysis Public debt

English

Publication Date:

May 1, 2011

ISBN/ISSN:

9781455254316/1018-5941

Stock No:

WPIEA2011100

Pages:

43

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