The Impact of COVID-19 on US Consumer Spending: Quantitative Analysis Using High-Frequency State-Level Data
October 8, 2020
KOBAYASHI Satoshi, NAKAHARA Kaori, ODA Takemasa, and UENO Yoichi*
International Department
- Currently at the Monetary Affairs Department
According to macroeconomic statistics, consumer spending in the United States, after falling sharply due to the COVID-19 pandemic along with the strict public health measures, has started to increase again since May. However, a closer look at high-frequency data shows that the pace of recovery in consumer spending has slowed since the latter half of June, when new infections began to increase again. Using weekly state-level panel data, this study quantitatively examines the impact of various factors that have affected US consumer spending during the pandemic. The empirical results suggest that US consumer spending has been (1) strongly affected by the strict public health measures such as the stay-at-home orders put in place, (2) pushed down by the renewed increase in new infections since the latter half of June, and (3) boosted to some extent by fiscal measures such as the Economic Impact Payments.
Notice
Bank of Japan Review is published by the Bank of Japan to explain recent economic and financial topics for a wide range of readers. This report, 2020-E-7, is a translation of the original Japanese version, 2020-J-11, published in September 2020. The views expressed in the Review are those of the authors and do not necessarily represent those of the Bank of Japan.
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