Optimum Quantity of Money – An Application to Iran Economy

The study of the role of money in the economy of developing countries, and its impact on economic variables, analysis of monetary policies, and other related issues are of paramount importance in economic planning. Considering the above-mentioned points and also the realities of Iranian economy, it is quite vital to scientifically specify the long-term trend of money supply through investigation of modern theories. In addition, we try to investigate the welfare effects of money supply in Iran and to calculate the related optimum quantity of money. Determining the optimum quantity of money will help us to see whether the real money is lower or higher than the optimum quantity which guides us to formulate proper monetary policies. In this respect, therefore, we are able to weaken or eradicate the monetary roots of inflation and unemployment. For practical purposes, we use the collected data on Iranian economy (1956-2003) by proper dynamic optimization model solved by Excell.
The results indicate that the real quantity of money is lower than its optimum quantity in Iran and that increasing the real quantity will have a positive effect on the economy.
JEL Classification: E5, E52