The unfree, the freer, and the government: Economic freedom and the fiscal multiplier

Abstract

We investigate the causal effect of government spending on real output conditional on economic freedom. Using data for 161 countries from 2000 to 2019 results show, first, that the size of the fiscal multiplier is inversely related to the level of freedom and, second, countries with the mean level of economic freedom of the sample (6.9) had a multiplier of around 1. Developed countries are characterized by high levels of freedom and a fiscal multiplier lower than 1 while developing countries exhibit a fiscal multiplier higher than 1 and low levels of freedom. The differences between countries with low and high economic freedom in their fiscal multipliers are asymmetric, in fiscal contractions are higher. We conclude that countries should strengthen institutions to promote economic freedom and development.