The Systemic Impact of Debt Default in a Multilayered Global Network Model

Author/Editor:

Nathan Porter ; Camilo E Tovar Mora ; Juan P Trevino ; Johannes Eugster ; Theofanis Papamichalis

Publication Date:

September 2, 2022

Electronic Access:

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Disclaimer: IMF Working Papers describe research in progress by the author(s) and are published to elicit comments and to encourage debate. The views expressed in IMF Working Papers are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily represent the views of the IMF, its Executive Board, or IMF management.

Summary:

The world has become more interconnected over the past few decades. Against this backdrop, economic and financial contagion following adverse shocks can have a severe impact on the global economy. How systemic can the effects of contagion be? What specific transmission channels are involved? What is their relative importance? We address these questions using a multilayered global network model of contagion that simulates the impact of sovereign debt default on the global economy. We also develop a measure of global systemic risk and use bank stress testing techniques to quantify the systemic impact of the shock and the extent of contagion on the global economy. Our model shows that economic and financial contagion are highly non-linear, and many bystander economies can experience significant negative effects as the initial default is spread through the network. This suggests that many economies might be systemically more important than what conventional measures of size or openness might suggest.

Series:

Working Paper No. 2022/171

Frequency:

regular

English

Publication Date:

September 2, 2022

ISBN/ISSN:

9798400218712/1018-5941

Stock No:

WPIEA2022171

Pages:

25

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