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Energy Demand Elasticities in Industrialized Countries: A Survey

Abstract:
A high price elasticity for energy demand implies a long-term ability of the economy to absorb the impact of higher energy prices. Thus price shocks, after generating pronounced inflationary and recessionary effects over the short term, do not act as a constraint to economic growth over the longer term. By contrast, a low price elasticity implies weak reactions to increasing energy costs and a protracted adverse effect on output and inflation. Unfortunately, a survey of the literature on energy demand elasticities shows diverse results. Should econometric results be used for policymaking and planning, then a critical and eclectic attitude is imperative to screen out the most relevant aspects of the empirically determined price elasticities.

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Energy Specializations: Energy Modeling – Energy Data, Modeling, and Policy Analysis; Energy and the Economy – Energy as a Productive Input; Energy and the Economy –Economic Growth and Energy Demand; Energy and the Economy – Resource Endowments and Economic Performance; Energy and the Economy – Energy Shocks and Business Cycles

JEL Codes: Q40: Energy: General, Q41: Energy: Demand and Supply; Prices

Keywords: Energy demand elasticities, Price shocks, Inflation, Recessionary effects

DOI: 10.5547/ISSN0195-6574-EJ-Vol4-No3-5

Published in Volume 4, Number 3 of the bi-monthly journal of the IAEE's Energy Economics Education Foundation.

 

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