A comparison of exchange rate regime choice in emerging markets with advanced and low income nations for 1999–2011

The recent global financial crisis has sparked a renewal of debate on the choice of exchange rate regimes. Creating a tripartite regime classification, the present study examines their determinants for 137 nations spanning the period 1999–2011. I find that trade openness, economic development, foreign-currency liabilities, and foreign exchange reserve holdings increase the likelihood of choosing a fixed-type regime in emerging markets while economic size, export concentration ratios and financial development lower such a chance. Capital controls, inflation differential with an anchor nation and land size significantly influence regime-choice in advanced and low income countries, but are largely insignificant in emerging markets.