On the Distributional Effects of Exchange Rate Fluctuations

Abstract

The paper studies the differential impact of exchange rate fluctuations on households in a country. I extend earlier research by relaxing the assumption of complete international sectoral specialization. My setup allows for the presence of several different sectors in a given country, each producing a different type of good. Combined with incomplete asset markets, the sectoral dimension leads to a heterogenous impact of exchange rate fluctuation within each country. In particular, although a depreciation of a country's currency has an adverse "beggar-thyself" effect for the country as a whole, a minority of households benefit.

Keywords: welfare, exchange rate fluctuations, international competitiveness

JEL Classification: F31, F41, F42