Assessing the benefits of eurozone membership: Sovereign debt classification and economic impact in small and developing countries

Abstract

This study is focused on the benefits received by countries that are part of the eurozone. The data from 28 member states of the European Union (EU), as well as Balkan countries, have been used to analyse the benefits of staying in the eurozone for the period of 2001–2021. This study first checked for the stationarity of the variables using the augmented Dickey-Fuller test, the interpretation of R2, and linear regression, as well as fixed and random models, taking into consideration that it deals with macroeconomic and fiscal data. The research hypothesis is substantiated through analysis, revealing that a country’s inclusion in the eurozone positively affects its sovereign rating, positioning it 1.19 notches higher than those outside the eurozone. This finding aligns with the observations made by Martinez et al. (2022), who emphasize the positive implications of investor perceptions regarding government debt, providing easier access to financing and contributing to economic stability. Specifically examining the Europrim’s impact before the COVID-19 pandemic, the study demonstrates that Balkan countries adopting the euro are positioned 9.22 places higher in sovereign debt classification. Similarly, amid the COVID-19 pandemic, these countries are listed 1.52 places above those not using the euro in sovereign debt ranking. This insight contributes to the ongoing discussion about the advantages of being part of the eurozone, especially in the context of economic and fiscal dynamics.