Question

Suppose an economy’s national accounts are GNP = 100, C = 70, I = 40, G = 20 and EX = 20 where GNP is gross national product, C is consumption, I is investment, G is government spending, and EX is exports. Using the national income identity, find the value of imports (IM). What is the current account balance? What is the (economy-wide) savings rate (note: saving rate = S/Y)? What would the government, private, and total savings rate be if the government reduced taxes T = 10 while the other variables remain unchanged?

Answer 1

Imports is 50.

Current account balance is -30.

Total savings is 30.

After tax reduction total savings is 10.

Step-by-step explanation:

GNP is given as 100.

The consumption expenditure is 70.

The investment expenditure is 40.

The government spending is 20.

The exports are given as 20.

GNP = C + I + G + EX - IM

100 = 70 + 40 + 20 + 20 - IM

100 = 150 - IM

IM = 50

The current account balance is the difference between exports and imports.

Current account balance

= EX - IM

= 20 - 50

= -30

Total savings in the economy is the difference between disposable income and consumption.

Total savings

= Y - C

= 100 - 70

= 30

In case government reduces taxes, the private saving will increase while the public saving will decrease.

Private saving

= Y - T - C

= 100 - 10 - 70

=20

Public saving

= T - G

= 10-20

= -10

Total saving

= Private saving + Public saving

= 20 + (-10)

= 20 - 10

= 10