Pääomarajoitukset

Pääomarajoitukset, or capital controls, are government-imposed restrictions on the movement of financial assets into or out of a country. These measures can take various forms, including limits on foreign investment, restrictions on the amount of money that can be repatriated, taxes on capital outflows, or even outright bans on certain types of transactions. The primary aim of capital controls is typically to influence a country's exchange rate, manage its balance of payments, or protect its domestic financial system from volatile international capital flows.

Countries might implement capital controls during periods of economic instability, such as currency crises, to prevent rapid capital flight that could further destabilize the economy. They can also be used to maintain an artificially low exchange rate, making exports cheaper and imports more expensive, thereby aiming to boost domestic industries and reduce trade deficits. However, capital controls can also deter foreign investment by creating uncertainty and increasing the cost of doing business, potentially hindering long-term economic growth. Their effectiveness and desirability are often debated among economists, with arguments focusing on their potential to provide short-term stability versus their long-term negative impacts on economic openness and efficiency.