Modelling the shadow economy of South Africa: Using the currency demand and MIMIC approach

Mangalani Peter MAKANANISA, Cathrine Thato KOLOANE, Friedrich SCHNEIDER

Abstract


Abstract. This paper estimates the size and development of the South African shadow economy (SE) using two indirect approaches namely, the Multivariate Indicator Multivariate Causes (MIMIC) model and the Currency Demand Approach (CDA). The study uses time series from 2000 to 2019 (using quarterly data) to estimate the SE of South Africa for the period 2004 to 2018. The average estimated size of the SE from the CDA and MIMIC model are 22.47% and 25.45% respectively. Overall, the MIMIC and CDA models are both showing a slight decreasing trend for the same period. The study recommends further analysis to be conducted on economic segments in order to explore the SE activity distribution between different economic sectors; resulting in an easier way to identify, locate and monitor unrecorded businesses and also increase revenue collections and minimise non-compliance for different sectors.

Keywords. Shadow Economy of South Africa, GDP, CDA, MIMIC.

JEL. C32, H26, I2, O17, P48.

Keywords


Shadow Economy of South Africa; GDP; CDA; MIMIC.

Full Text:


References


Ahumada, H., Alvaredo, F., & CanaveseA. (2007). The monetary method and the size of the shadow economy: A critical assessment. Review of Income and Wealth, 53(2), 363-371. doi. 10.1111/j.1475-4991.2007.00234.x

Amoh, J., & Adafula, B. (2019). An estimation of the underground economy and tax evasion: Empirical analysis from an emerging economy. Journal of Money Laundering Control. doi. 10.1108/JMLC-01-2019-0002

Ariyo, A., & Beloe, W. (2012). Currency demand, the underground economy and tax evasion: The case of Nigeria. Journal of Monetary and Economic Integration, 11(2), 129-157.

Brand South Africa. (2018). Accessed, 12 February 2020. [Retrieved from].

Buehn, A., & Farzanegan, M.R. (2013). Impact of education on the shadow economy: Institutions matter. Economic Bulletin, 33(3), 2052-2063.

BusinessTech. (2020). Accessed 12 February 2020. Available from. [Retrieved from].

Cagan, P. (1958). The demand for currency relative to the total money supply. Journal of Political Economy, 66(4), 302-328. doi. 10.1086/258056

Dell’Anno, R., Gomez-Antonio, M., & Pardo, A. (2007). The shadow economy in three Mediterranean countries: France, Spain and Greece. A mimic approach. Empirical Economics, 33, 51-84. doi. 10.1007/s00181-007-0138-1

Enste, D.H. (2005). The shadow economy in OECD and EU accession countries – Empirical evidence for the influence of institutions, liberalization, taxation and regulation. in C. Bajada, F. Schneider (Eds.), Size, Causes and Consequences of the Underground Economy – An International Perspective, Burlington: Ashgate Publishing Company.

Frontier Economics. (2012). The Impact of Regulation on Growth. A Report Prepared for the Department of Business, Innovation and Skills. Frontier Economics Ltd, London.

Farzanegan, M.R. (2009). Illegal trade in the Iranian economy: Evidence from a structural model. European Journal of Political Economy, 25(4), 489-507. doi. 10.1016/j.ejpoleco.2009.02.008

Gana, K., & Broc, G. (2019). Structural Equation Modeling with Lavaan. London: Wiley.

Giles, D.E.A., & Tedds, L.M. (2002). Taxes and the Canadian underground economy. Canadian Tax Paper, No.106.

Hall, A. (2019). Underground economy. Chicago: Encyclopaedia Britannica. [Retrieved from].

Hassan, M., & Schneider, F. (2016). Modelling the Egyptian shadow economy: A mimic model and a currency demand approach. Journal of Economics and Political Economy, 3(2), 310-339. doi. 10.1453/jepe.v3i2.788

Iol. (2019). SARS probes illicit economy. Accessed 03 February 2020. [Retrieved from].

Kaufmann, D., & Kaliberda A. (1996). Integrating the unofficial economy into the dynamics of post socialist economies: a framework of analyses and evidence, in B. Kaminski, (Ed.). Economic Transition in Russia and the New States of Eurasia. M.E. Sharpe, London.

Klaric, V. (2010). Estimating the size of non-observed economy in Croatia using the MIMIC approach. Financial Theory and Practice, 35(1), 59-90.

Koekemoer, P. (2018). The trend of self-employment. Accessed 14 February 2020. [Retrieved from].

Lackó, M. (1999). Electricity intensity and the unrecorded economy in post-socialist countries. in E. Feige, & K. Ott (Eds.). Underground Economies in Transition, Ashgate Publishing Company.

Lackó, M. (2000a). Do power consumption data tell the story? Electricity intensity and hidden economy in post-socialist countries, in E. Maskin, & A. Simonovits (Eds.). Planning, Shortage and Transformation: Essays in Honor of Janos Kornai, Cambridge: The MIT Press.

Lackó, M. (2000b). Hidden economy – An unknown quantity? Comparative analysis of hidden economies in transition economies, Economics of Transition, 8(1), 117–149. doi. 10.1111/1468-0351.00038

McMillan, J. (2006). Below the radar: Underground markets for the poor. Harvard International Review, 27(4), 46-50.

Medina, L., & Schneider, F. (2019). Shedding light on the shadow economy: A global database and the interaction with the official one. CESifo Working Paper, No.7981. [Retrieved from].

Medina, L., & Schneider, F. (2018). Shadow economies around the World: What did we learn over the last 20 years? IMF Working Papers, No.WP/18/17. [Retrieved from].

Minerals Council South Africa. (2020). Accessed: 12 February 2020. [Retrieved from].

SA Mine. (2019). Accessed 10 February 2020. [Retrieved from].

Sharapenko, D. (2009). Estimation of the shadow economy in Russia, A study conducted in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Masters of Arts. Central European University. Budapest, Hungary.

Schneider, F. (2005). Shadow economies around the world: What do we really know? European Journal of Political Economy, 21(30), 598-642. doi.10.1016/j.ejpoleco.2004.10.002

Schneider, F., & Buehn, A. (2016). Estimating the size of the shadow economy: methods, problems and open questions. IZA Discussion Paper, No.9820. [Retrieved from].

Schneider, F., & Enste, D.H. (2013). The Shadow Economy. An International Survey: 2ndEdition. Cambridge University Press.

Schneider, F., & Hametner, B. (2007). The shadow economy in Colombia: Size and effects on economic growth. Johannes KeplerUniversity of Linz, Department of Economics Working Paper, No.0703. [Retrieved from].

Schneider, F., Chaudhuri, K., & Chatterjee, S. (2003). The size and development of the Indian shadow economy and a comparison with other 18 Asian countries: An empirical investigation, Johannes Kepler U., Department of Economics, Working Paper, No.0302. [Retrieved from].

Schneider, F., Buehn, A., & Montenegro, C.E. (2010). New estimates for the shadow economies all over the world. International Economic Journal, 24(4), 443-461. doi. 10.1080/10168737.2010.525974

Schneider, F., & Enste, D.H. (2000). Shadow economies: Size, causes, and consequences. Journal of Economic Literature, 38(1), 77-114. doi. 10.1257/jel.38.1.77

The Global Corruption Barometer Africa. (2019). Accessed 10 February 2020. [Retrieved from].

The New York Times. (2018). Accessed: 05 February 2020. [Retrieved from].

UNCTAD. (2016). Accessed: 15 December 2019. [Retrieved from].




DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1453/jepe.v7i1.2025

Refbacks

  • There are currently no refbacks.




.......................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

Journal of Economics and Political Economy - J. Econ. Pol. Econ. - JEPE - www.kspjournals.org

ISSN: 2148-8347

Editor: [email protected]   Secretarial: [email protected]   Istanbul - Turkey.

Copyright © KSP Library