Macroeconomic Imbalances in the Euro Area

Abstract

Macroeconomic imbalances constitute one of the most important threats to the cohesion of the monetary union. The aim of this article is to examine the current state of imbalances using the new composite indicator of macroeconomic stability. The calculated composite indicators of macroeconomic stability allow for the formulation of the following interpretations regarding changes and the current level of macroeconomic imbalances in the Euro area: 1. The aggregate pressure from macroeconomic imbalances in the Euro area is currently the lowest in the whole period for which data is available; 2. The imbalances in the Euro area have been partially limited, but more precisely, it should be said that they have changed their face rather than disappeared; 3. A signifi cant reduction of imbalances occurred in the case of variables which, in the majority of interpretations, were directly blamed for the exacerbation of the post-2008 crisis phenomena: current account balance, unit labour costs, or credit growth. At the same time, imbalances in terms of international net investment position and public and private debt, as well as imbalances in the labour market, have signifi cantly increased.