Central Bank Independence and Price Stability: Evidence from 23 OECD-countries

Abstract

In this paper, we use a non-parametric regression method to compare the transition process from high to low inflation with the implementation dates of central bank independence reforms. In a majority of the countries, price stability is achieved before more independence is given to the central bank. This suggests that the credibility of a low inflation goal can be achieved without institutional reforms which grant the central bank more independence from the political policymakers.Central bank reform; inflation targeting; monetary policy; non-parametric decomposition