Raising Interest Rates for Improving Income

Abstract

This paper illustrates a case where an increase of the interest rates improves the economic activity and reduces income inequality. This theoretical exercise deals with a simple model of disequilibrium with accountant identities of budget constraints. In addition, and following previous models, the effect of the COVID-19 shock is considered, by reflecting asymmetric repercussions that increase income inequality. A simple empirical exercise confirms some of the previous results. The proposed explanation is that, for the euro area, this shock has affected more middle-income households such as the retailers harmed by the compulsory lockdown who have increased their debts.