Safe debt and uncertainty in emerging markets : an application to South Africa /

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Bibliographic Details
Author / Creator:Saxegaard, Magnus, author.
Imprint:[Washington, D.C.] : International Monetary Fund, ©2014.
Description:1 online resource (27 pages) : color illustrations.
Language:English
Series:IMF working paper ; WP/14/231
IMF working paper ; WP/14/231.
Subject:
Format: E-Resource Book
URL for this record:http://pi.lib.uchicago.edu/1001/cat/bib/12504201
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Other authors / contributors:International Monetary Fund, issuing body.
ISBN:9781498382625
1498382622
Notes:"December 12014."
Includes bibliographical references (pages 24-26).
Online resource; title from pdf title page (IMF.org Web site, viewed December 29, 2014).
Summary:This paper develops a methodology for estimating a safe public debt level that would allow countries to remain below a maximum sustainable debt limit, taking into account the impact of uncertainty. Our analysis implies that fiscal policy should target a debt level well below the debt ceiling to allow space to absorb shocks that are likely to hit the economy. To illustrate our findings we apply the methodology to estimate a safe debt level for South Africa. Our results suggest that South Africa's debt ceiling is around 60 percent of GDP, although uncertainty is high. Simulations suggest targeting a debt-to-GDP ratio of 40 percent of GDP would allow South Africa to remain below this debt ceiling over the medium-term with a high degree of confidence.--Abstract.
Standard no.:9781498382625