Inflation-growth relationship in selected Asian developing countries : evidence from panel data

We question the empirical foundation of keeping inflation at 5% or below in developing economies. Using System Generalized Method of Moments we investigate the issue in the context of 14 Asian developing countries for the period 1961-2010. We find no robust empirical justification for targeting inflation at such a low level. The inflation threshold for these countries is found around 13% and it may range between 7% and 14% depending on the level of development. The findings suggest that developing countries can gain from moderate levels of inflation and should not be alarmed when inflation crosses the 5% benchmark.