Are Developing Countries Better Off Spending Their Oil Wealth Upfront?
Electronic Access:
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Summary:
We question the conventional view that it is optimal for government to maintain a stable level of spending out of oil wealth. We compare this conventional policy recommendation with one where government spends all of its oil revenues upfront, at the same rate as oil is extracted. Using a neoclassical growth model with positive external effects of public spending on consumption and productivity, we find that, if the economy is growing along the steady-state balanced path, the conventional view is validated. However, if the economy starts with a lower capital stock, the welfare ranking across two policies can be reversed.
Series:
Working Paper No. 2004/141
Subject:
Consumption Economic growth Expenditure Fiscal policy National accounts Private consumption Public investment spending Sustainable growth
English
Publication Date:
August 1, 2004
ISBN/ISSN:
9781451856217/1018-5941
Stock No:
WPIEA1412004
Pages:
29
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