Inflation Differentials in New EU Member States: Empirical Evidence

In this paper, we examine the determinants of inflation differentials in a panel of the new European Union member states vis-a-vis the euro area in 1997-2007. Our main results are as follows. Exchange rate appreciation and a higher price level in the new EU members is associated with a narrower inflation differential vis-a-vis the euro area, while a fiscal deficit and a positive output gap seem to contribute to a higher inflation differential. Nevertheless, the effect of price convergence on inflation differentials is found to be dominant in these countries, suggesting that a country with a price level 20 % below the euro area average is likely to exhibit inflation nearly one percentage point above that in the euro area. Overall, our results indicate that real convergence factors rather than cyclical variation are more important for inflation developments in the new EU members as compared to the euro area.