The Real Exchange Rate and Economic Growth: are Developing Countries Different?

Authors

Martin Rapetti, University of Massachusetts AmherstFollow
Peter Skott, University of Massachusetts AmherstFollow
Arslan RazmiFollow

Working Paper Number

2011-07

Publication Date

2011

Abstract

Recent research has found a positive relationship between real exchange rate (RER) undervaluation and economic growth. Different rationales for this association have been offered, but they all imply that the mechanisms involved should be stronger in developing countries. Rodrik (2008) explicitly analyzed and found evidence that the RER-growth relationship is more prevalent in developing countries. We show that his finding is very sensitive to the criterion used to divide the sample between developed and developing countries. We then use alternative classification criteria and empirical strategies to evaluate the existence of asymmetries between groups of countries and find that the effect of currency undervaluation on growth is indeed larger and more robust for developing economies. However, the relationship between RER undervaluation and per capita GDP is non-monotonic.

DOI

https://doi.org/10.7275/3317868

Recommended Citation

Rapetti, Martin; Skott, Peter; and Razmi, Arslan, "The Real Exchange Rate and Economic Growth: are Developing Countries Different?" (2011). Economics Department Working Paper Series. 115.
https://doi.org/10.7275/3317868