MPCs through COVID: spending, saving and private transfers

Publication type

Research Paper

Series Number

20/35

Series

IFS Working Paper Series

Authors

Publication date

October 20, 2020

Abstract:

MPCs were directly elicited from a representative sample of UK adults in July 2020. Reported MPCs are low, around 11% on average. They are higher, but still modest, for individuals in households with high current needs. These low MPCs may be a consequence of the prevailing economic uncertainty. Some respondents report that they would respond to a one-time income payment by transferring more to friends and family, others report they would see a decline in the payments received. Targeting payments to high-MPC individuals could be partly undone. Further, the aggregate MPC out of a stimulus payment need not equal the population-average MPC, even if all individuals receive the same payment.

Subjects

Link

https://www.ifs.org.uk/publications/15128

#526375

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