Report
Patrick Artus

Why the public debt is not a problem

The sharp rise in public debt ratios since 2008, and particularly in 2020, has given rise to much debate and concern. But the reality is that the high public debt is not a problem. The first argument relates to monetary policy. There is a growing understanding that the only public debt that matters is the proportion of the public debt that is not held by the central bank, and this proportion has not increased thanks to central banks' massive purchases of public debt. But even if public debt were not monetised, the public debt ratio would not be a problem. The reason is that the real interest rate is lower than the growth rate for a structural reason: the ex ante excess savings over investment. As long as fiscal deficits absorb the excess private savings over investment, they do not drive up real interest rates and, as real interest rates are lower than the growth rate, fiscal solvency is ensured.
Provider
Natixis
Natixis

Based across the world’s leading financial centers, Natixis CIB Research offers an integrated view of the markets. The team provides support to inform Natixis clients’ investment and hedging decisions across all asset classes.

 

Analysts
Patrick Artus

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Benito Berber
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