1. Home
  2. Studies
  3. Money supply and inflation in Europe: Is there still a connection?
Matthias Diermeier / Henry Goecke IW-Policy Paper No. 17 21. December 2016 Money supply and inflation in Europe: Is there still a connection?

Since the outbreak of the European financial and economic crisis in 2008, the monetary policy of the European Central Bank (ECB) has been in crisis mode. Ensuring that the growth in the money supply transmutes into higher inflation or inflation expectations has been difficult.

Download PDF
Is there still a connection?
Matthias Diermeier / Henry Goecke IW-Policy Paper No. 17 21. December 2016

Money supply and inflation in Europe: Is there still a connection?

IW policy paper

German Economic Institute (IW) German Economic Institute (IW)

Since the outbreak of the European financial and economic crisis in 2008, the monetary policy of the European Central Bank (ECB) has been in crisis mode. Ensuring that the growth in the money supply transmutes into higher inflation or inflation expectations has been difficult.

The central bankers are attempting to get a grasp on the current low inflation rates and inflation expectations by, among other things, introducing a policy of extreme quantitative easing. The expansion of the Eurosystem's balance sheet was problem-free on this occasion, and the ECB also managed to eventually increase the money supply again. However, ensuring that the growth in the money supply transmutes into higher inflation or inflation expectations has been much more difficult.

Results of the empirical assessment

  • The formulation of an appropriate monetary policy for the heterogeneous country groups of the euro area remains a challenge.
  • Controlling the money supply is now the last option remaining out of three monetary policy instruments.
  • Monetary developments have become disconnected from inflation developments. At present a structural break exists for the various euro area countries.
  • The ECB's asset purchase programme and the accompanying shift from long-term to short-term assets on banks’ balance sheets is partly responsible for this development.
  • In the current regime of extremely low interest rates, there is a strong connection between the liabilities and lending of commercial banks and inflation for individual countries.
  • Two problems stand in the way of a universally effective monetary policy in the euro area: real economy divergence and the different ways in which financial intermediation works in the different countries.

Recommendations

  • Monetary policy must focus on boosting private demand through increased lending in order to achieve the inflation target.
  • On the demand side, a reduction in the general and political uncertainty is necessary, while on the supply side, critical reflection on the regulatory guidelines is required.
  • In order for monetary policy to once again be effective in all euro area countries, the banks must be able to fulfil their roles properly. A clean-up of banks’ balance sheets and the write-off of non-performing loans are desperately needed.
  • Recommendations 2 and 3 cannot be resolved through monetary policy. The governments of the respective Member States must take action. These must raise the employment intensity of growth and push ahead with the regulatory and supervisory clean-up of banks’ balance sheets.
Download PDF
Is there still a connection?
Matthias Diermeier / Henry Goecke IW-Policy Paper No. 17 21. December 2016

Matthias Diermeier / Henry Goecke: Money supply and inflation in Europe – Is there still a connection?

IW policy paper

German Economic Institute (IW) German Economic Institute (IW)

More on the topic

Read the article
How to reduce electricity prices – ideas of the Affordable Energy Act
Alexander Radunz / Sandra Parthie Event 29. January 2025

Breakfast debate: How to reduce electricity prices – ideas of the Affordable Energy Act

While Member states are ultimately responsible for their energy mix; their decisions have cross-border consequences. They impact the prices at the EEX and the use and need for interconnectors. We want to take a holistic look at these dynamics and focus on the ...

IW

Read the article
Markus Demary / Vera Demary IW-Policy Paper No. 7 2. September 2024

Crypto regulation in the EU

FC Bayern Munich footballers advertise for the crypto exchange Bitpanda, Crypto.com advertised with rapper Eminem during the NBA playoffs of the Los Angeles Lakers basketball team, whose arena was renamed “Crypto.com Arena” in 2021.

IW

Content element with id 8880 Content element with id 9713