The Effects of EMU on the Finnish Economy: Some Early Conjectures

Abstract

This paper analyses the convergence of the Finnish economy to the monetary policy regime of the EMU. We review the expectations on the effects of EMU membership which prevailed before the union was established, and compare those with actual outcomes for Finland in the first years of the EMU. It seems that the de facto membership in the new policy regime, began approximately at the beginning of 1997. The significant improvement of some traditional structural imbalances of the Finnish economy is reported. It is argued that the improvement of monetary policy credibility can explain much of the improved performance of the economy.