Analysis of the Transparency Index of the Central Banks of the Western Balkan Countries

Abstract

Abstract Transparency in the work of central banks has become one of the key features of monetary policy. Because of this, many economists have diverted to finding the most suitable way to measure it. Although a unique method of measurement has yet to be achieved, there are various studies in the literature that deal with the calculation of the transparency index of central banks. Most studies have focused on measuring transparency of the largest central banks, while countries of the Western Balkans have been neglected. In the literature, there are no studies related to the analysis and measurement of transparency of the central banks in the Western Balkan countries. Starting from the index calculated by Eiffinger & Geraats, this paper aims to calculate the transparency index for five central banks: the Central Bank of Montenegro, the Croatian National Bank, the Central Bank of Bosnia and Herzegovina, the National Bank of the Republic of North Macedonia, and the Bank of Albania.