Catalina Espinosa
Research expert covering society, economy, and politics for Europe and the EU
Get in touch with us nowImpact of helicopter money on household expenditure in Belgium 2018
This statistic shows the results of a survey question asking what retail investors in Belgium would do when they hypothetically received 20,000 euros worth of "helicopter money" from the European Central Bank. Helicopter money refers to a phrase from US economist Milton Friedman and the idea that if households got free money (as if a helicopter would drop free cash in one's back garden), they would spend it. More household expenses would lead to a growing economy.
According to the source, 15 percent of all respondents would choose not to spend this free money. Around 50 percent would spend between one and 30 percent of it. The source also mentioned that 53 percent of the respondents would use the money they didn't spend in an investment, whilst an additional 42 percent would put it in on a savings account. In a 2016-survey, Belgian consumers seemed more inclined to spend helicopter money than their Luxembourg or Dutch counterparts.
According to the source, 15 percent of all respondents would choose not to spend this free money. Around 50 percent would spend between one and 30 percent of it. The source also mentioned that 53 percent of the respondents would use the money they didn't spend in an investment, whilst an additional 42 percent would put it in on a savings account. In a 2016-survey, Belgian consumers seemed more inclined to spend helicopter money than their Luxembourg or Dutch counterparts.
