Implicit Public Debt Thresholds: An Empirical Exercise for the Case of Spain

28 Pages Posted: 24 Jan 2017

See all articles by Javier Andrés

Javier Andrés

University of Valencia - Department of Economics

Javier J. Pérez

Banco de España - Research Department

Juan A. Rojas

Banco de España

Date Written: January 24, 2017

Abstract

We extend previous work that combines the Value at Risk approach with estimation of the correlation pattern of the macroeconomic determinants of public debt dynamics by means of Vector Auto Regressions (VARs). These estimated models are used to compute the probability that the public debt ratio exceeds a given threshold, by means of Monte Carlo simulations. We apply this methodology to Spanish data and compute time-series probabilities to analyse the possible correlation with market risk assessment, measured by the spread over the German bond. Taking into account the high correlation between the probability of crossing a pre-specified debt threshold and the spread, we go a step further and ask what would be the threshold that maximises the correlation between the two variables. The aim of this exercise is to gauge the implicit debt threshold or "prudent debt level" that is most consistent with market expectations as measured by the sovereign yield spread. The level thus obtained is consistent with the medium-term debt-to-GDP ratio anchor of 60% of GDP.

Keywords: public debt, early warning indicators, fiscal sustainability

JEL Classification: H63, H68, E61, E62

Suggested Citation

Andrés, Javier and Perez, Javier J. and Rojas, Juan A., Implicit Public Debt Thresholds: An Empirical Exercise for the Case of Spain (January 24, 2017). Banco de Espana Working Paper No. 1701, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=2904976 or http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.2904976

Javier Andrés (Contact Author)

University of Valencia - Department of Economics ( email )

E-46022 Valencia, Valencia E-46022
Spain
(34 96) 382 8260 (Phone)
(34 96) 382 8249 (Fax)

Javier J. Perez

Banco de España - Research Department ( email )

Alcala 50
28014 Madrid
Spain

HOME PAGE: http://www.bde.es/investigador/staff/95.htm

Juan A. Rojas

Banco de España ( email )

Alcala 50
Madrid 28014
Spain

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