ECB released a bulletin article “Private consumption and its drivers in the current economic expansion” today. It argues that private consumption has been a main driver of growth in the current cycle that started back in 2013. And this has been “largely driven by the recovery in the labour market”. And, as labor markets continue to improve, ” consumer confidence should remain elevated and private consumption should rise further”
At the same time, the article said that ECB’s accommodative monetary policy has “contributed considerably to the expansion of private consumption”. At the same time, the policies have also “directly decreased income and wealth inequality”. There is little evidence that low interest rates have led to generalized increases in household indebtedness. And therefore, the overall economic expansion is “sustainable”.
