Macro-Economic Instability and Crime

Patrick Guillaumont (1) , Frédéric Puech (1)

1 CERDI - Centre d'Études et de Recherches sur le Développement International

This paper adds to the literature on the economic determinants of crime by examining the impact of macro-economic instability. Instability increases the frustration level of individuals and incites them to smooth their income by using illegal earnings. Results from a panel of developed and developing countries for the period 1980-97 suggests that macro-economic instability had a significant impact on crime, both homicide and robbery. However, homicide and robbery do not react to instability in the same way.

Mots clés: macro-economic instability; crime; institutions

Domaines: Economies et finances

Patrick Guillaumont, Frédéric Puech. Macro-Economic Instability and Crime. 2011. ⟨halshs-00564579⟩