Endogenous Growth, Skill Obsolescence and Fiscal Multipliers

Authors

  • Lechthaler
  • W.
  • Tesfaselassie
  • M.F.
Publication Date

We analyze the effects of government spending in a New-Keynesian model with search and matching frictions featuring endogenous growth through learning-by-doing and skill loss from longterm unemployment. We show that medium-run and long-run output and unemployment multipliers are much larger compared to the standard model that abstracts from endogenous growth and skill loss. In our model the aggregate effect of a temporary fiscal stimulus is amplified via the skill loss channel through lower training costs. Via the learning-by-doing channel, it leads to hysteresis in human capital accumulation and thereby output. These results hold for alternative forms of fiscal financing (lump-sumtax, distortionary tax and government debt) as well as alternative labor market institutions (US and Europe).

Info

JEL Classification
E24, E52

Key Words

  • fiscal ?policy
  • Human Capital
  • human capital growth
  • labor market frictions
  • skill loss
  • unemployment