Fiscal Policy and regional inequality in Brazil

Abstract

This paper aims to estimate the long-term impacts of an austerity policy in the Brazilian regions. Our main contribution is to measure those effects using a dynamic interregional general equilibrium model, capturing the indirect impacts in sectors and regions, in addition to the direct effects of the expenditure cuts. The main results show that the fiscal adjustment would attenuate growth in most of the Brazilian states by 2037. Municipalities located in the poorest regions would be relatively more affected. Furthermore, the adjustment would have a negative impact on regional inequalities in all scenarios, both at the state and municipal levels.