How Similar Are European Business Cycles?

Arbeitspapier

In this paper, we focus on how European economic integration has affected the synchronization and the magnitude of business cycles among participating countries. We measure, based on bandpass filtered data, the characteristics of European business cycles analyzing to what extent they have become more similar over time. We also consider the role of other factors such as differences in fiscal and monetary policy, border effects, and trade intensity. Our main finding is that European business cycles are highly synchronized, although we also find that synchronization was higher during periods with highly flexible exchange rates. In addition we find a positive tradeoff between timing and magnitude such that more synchronization coincides with larger relative magnitude. These results raise concern about the consequences of a common monetary policy within EMU.

Object Details

• Language: Englisch

References and Relationships

• Bibliographic citation: Series: EPRU Working Paper Series ; No. 2004-13

Classification and Topics

• Classification: Wirtschaft ; Business Fluctuations; Cycles ; Economic Integration
• Subject: business cycles ; symmetry and co{movement of cycles ; magnitude of cycles ; economic integration ; monetary union ; Konjunktur ; Eurozone ; EU-Staaten

Contributors, Places and Time

• Event: Geistige Schöpfung
• (who): Bergman, U. Michael
• Event: Veröffentlichung
• (who): University of Copenhagen, Economic Policy Research Unit (EPRU)
• (where): Copenhagen
• (when): 2004

Further information

• Handle: http://hdl.handle.net/10419/82067
• Last update: 10.03.2025, 11:44 AM CET