Inflation Uncertainty and Relative Price Variability in WAEMU Countries

Download or read book Inflation Uncertainty and Relative Price Variability in WAEMU Countries written by Carlos Fernandez Valdovinos and published by International Monetary Fund. This book was released on 2011-03-01 with total page 46 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Using a consistent dataset and methodology for all eight member countries of the West African Economic and Monetary Union (WAEMU) from 1994 to 2009, this paper provides evidence of the two major channels for real effects of inflation: inflation uncertainty and relative price variability. In line with theory and most evidence for advanced and emerging market economies, higher inflation increases inflation uncertainty and relative price variability in all WAEMU countries. However, the pattern, magnitude and timing of these two channels vary considerably by country. The findings raise several policy issues for future research.