Estudios de Economía (May 2018)

[Article title missing]

  • Cecilia Bermúdez,
  • Carlos Dabús

Journal volume & issue
Vol. 45, no. 1
pp. 5 – 28

Abstract

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This paper explores the real exchange rate (RER)-economic growth relationship for a wide sample of countries over the period 1960-2009. After removing influential observations, the system-GMM estimates suggest a positive link between an undervalued RER and growth in non-industrial countries, particularly in those with upper-middle and high income levels. In turn, RER volatility is found harmful for growth. These results holds when testing for asymmetric effects of RER misalignment: a real undervaluation boosts growth in non-industrial countries, while overvaluation seems to have no effects at any income level. Besides, the magnitude of the misalignment is also relevant: an undervalued RER of about 26% on average has a positive impact on growth.