How are inflation targets set?

0353573 - NHU-C 2011 RIV CZ eng J - Journal Article
Horváth, R. - Matějů, Jakub
How are inflation targets set?
CERGE-EI Working Paper Series. -, č. 426 (2010), s. 1-35. ISSN 1211-3298
Grant - others:MŠk(CZ) SVV-2010-261801
Institutional research plan: CEZ:MSM0021620846
Keywords : inflation targeting * central bank * credibility
Subject RIV: AH - Economics
http://www.cerge-ei.cz/pdf/wp/Wp426.pdf

This paper aims to contribute to a better understanding on how inflation targets are set. For this reason, we first gather evidence from official central bank and government publications and from a questionnaire sent to central banks on how inflation targets are set; we then estimate the determinants of the level of inflation target in 19 inflation targeting countries using unbalanced panel interval regressions (to deal with the issue that targets are typically set as a range rather than as a point). Inflation targets are found to reflect macroeconomic fundamentals. Higher level as well as higher variability of inflation are associated with higher target. The setting of the inflation target is also found to have an important international dimension, as higher world inflation is positively correlated with inflation targets. Rapidly growing countries exhibit higher inflation targets.
Permanent Link: http://hdl.handle.net/11104/0192797