International evidence on the determinants of private saving

A broad set of possible determinants of private saving behavior is examined using data for a large sample of industrial and developing countries. Both time-series and cross-sectional estimates are obtained. Results suggest th at there is a partial offset on private saving of changes in public saving and (for developing countries) in foreign saving, that demographics and gro wth are important determinants of private saving rates, and that interest r ates and terms of trade have positive, but less robust, effects. Increases in per capita gross domestic product seem to increase saving at low income levels (relative to the United States) but decrease it at higher ones.