The assessment: household saving - issues in theory and policy

In this assessment we discuss the issues raised by the papers in this issue of the Oxford Review of Economic Policy in the context of economic models of household consumption and saving. We also provide a discussion of what we consider to be some important areas in the current debate surrounding theories and evidence regarding saving behaviour. We highlight the differences that arise from considering partial, as opposed to general, equilibrium models, and in looking at developed, as opposed to developing countries. We also discuss current policy issues relating both to the adequacy of household saving and to the distribution of saving across households, or across asset types, as well as the need for more microdata on saving and asset holding.