Author(s)

Jean Claude Niyonsenga, Kabanda Richard

School of Economics, College of Business and Economics, University of Rwanda, Kigali, Rwanda.

The assessment of potential output and the output gap holds significant importance for policymakers, as it serves as a cornerstone for maintaining macroeconomic stability encompassing aspects such as real GDP growth, price stability, and full employment. This study investigates various methodologies employed to estimate potential output and the output gap in Rwanda, utilizing seasonally adjusted quarterly data spanning from 2006Q1 to 2021Q4. Initially, we explore mechanical or statistical approaches including Hodrick-Prescott, linear time trend, Beveridge Nelson decomposition, and unobserved component model. Additionally, a multivariate approach, specifically the production function approach, is employed. Diagnostic evaluations, such as assessing Granger causality between the output gap and inflation, are conducted using Rwandan data from 2006 Q1 to 2021 Q4 to discern potential linkages. The findings across different methodologies suggest that the output gap fluctuates within a range of −6 to 6 during normal conditions; the primary implication underscores the necessity for fiscal and monetary policies to respond to positive and negative output gaps, respectively, thereby mitigating inflationary pressures and recessionary periods while fostering sustained economic growth. The study investigates the correlation between the output gap and inflation, revealing a robust causal relationship between the two factors in the Rwandan economy.

Output Gap, Macroeconomic Stability, Unobserved Component Model, Rwanda

Niyonsenga, J.C. and Richard, K. (2024) Output Gap and Inflation in Rwanda. Open Access Library Journal, 11, 1-21. doi: 10.4236/oalib.1112120.