scholarly journals Physical capital, total factor productivity, and economic growth in sub-Saharan Africa

2019 ◽  
Vol 22 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Giampaolo Garzarelli ◽  
Yasmina Rim Limam
Keyword(s):  
Economic Growth ◽  
Total Factor Productivity ◽  
Physical Capital ◽  
Output Growth ◽  
Sub Saharan Africa ◽  
Total Output ◽  
Relative Importance ◽  
Factor Productivity ◽  
Sub Saharan ◽  
Ssa Countries

Background: A major question that received the attention of numerous theoretical and empirical studies during the past few decades relates to the issue of output growth decomposition and the sources of economic growth. The literature focuses on two sources of growth: factor accumulation (mainly physical capital) and total factor productivity (TFP) growth, presenting inconclusive results as to the relative importance of each.Aim: This article investigates the relative importance of physical capital accumulation and TFP in explaining output growth in 36 sub-Saharan African (SSA) countries over 1996–2014. The possibility of TFP-induced input effects is tested in order to better assess the role of TFP in total output growth.Setting: 36 SSA countries over the period 1996–2014.Method: The article uses a stochastic frontier analysis, an empirical methodology that decomposes total output growth into input growth, technological change and technical efficiency change.Results: The contribution of physical capital to total growth exceeds that of TFP in 22 out of the 36 countries. The result withstands issues of TFP-induced effects on inputs.Conclusion: A large share of growth in SSA is explained by factor inputs and not by TFP. There is therefore room for TFP to further increase growth in SSA. In order to create more opportunities for growth, SSA countries ought to invest in productivity-enhancing factors.

scholarly journals Government Expenditure and Economic Growth in Sub-Saharan Africa

2021 ◽  
Vol 7 (4) ◽  
pp. p14
Author(s):  
Dickson Wandeda ◽  
Wafula Masai ◽  
Samuel M. Nyandemo
Keyword(s):  
Economic Growth ◽  
Panel Data ◽  
Low Income ◽  
Government Expenditure ◽  
Output Growth ◽  
Sub Saharan Africa ◽  
Middle Income ◽  
Sub Saharan ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Ssa Countries

The paper sought to investigate the effect government expenditure on economic growth in Sub-Saharan Africa using a panel data for 35 Sub-Saharan African countries for the period 2006-2018. The paper adopted dynamic panel data and estimates were achieved by using two-step system GMM while taking into account the problem of instrument proliferation. The paper provided evidence that education and health expenditure are key determinants of income growth for SSA. The impact of education spending on cross-country income variation is more effective in low income SSA countries than the middle income SSA countries. However, military expenditure on output growth is more effective in improving income level of middle income SSA countries than low income SSA countries. SSA countries should allocate more funding towards education sector and should also avail compulsory and free primary and secondary education. SSA should carry out health reforms which improve primary health and universal health insurance coverage.

scholarly journals Pakistan’s Productivity Performance and TFP Trends, 1980–2015: Cause for Real Concern

2016 ◽  
Vol 21 (Special Edition) ◽  
pp. 33-63 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rashid Amjad ◽  
Namra Awais
Keyword(s):  
Economic Growth ◽  
East Asia ◽  
Total Factor Productivity ◽  
Labor Productivity ◽  
Productivity Growth ◽  
Output Growth ◽  
Factor Productivity ◽  
Sustained Growth ◽  
Growth Prospects ◽  
High Output

This paper reviews Pakistan’s productivity performance over the last 35 years (1980–2015) and identifies factors that help explain the declining trend in labor productivity and total factor productivity (TFP), both of which could have served as major drivers of productivity growth – as happened in East Asia and more recently in India. A key finding is that the maximum TFP gains and their contribution to economic growth are realized during periods of high-output growth. The lack of sustained growth and low and declining levels of investment appear to be the most important causes of the low contribution of TFP to productivity growth, which has now reached levels that should be of major concern to policymakers vis-à-vis Pakistan’s growth prospects.

The Origins of Productivity Change and Economic Growth in China’s Cities between the Years 2001 and 2014

2018 ◽  
Vol 06 (02) ◽  
pp. 1850012
Author(s):  
Jiancui LIU ◽  
Shilin ZHENG
Keyword(s):  
Economic Growth ◽  
Total Factor Productivity ◽  
Statistical Data ◽  
Physical Capital ◽  
Productivity Change ◽  
Factor Productivity ◽  
Transitional Processes ◽  
Second Tier ◽  
Theory Research ◽  
Factor Inputs

Total factor productivity represents not only the core of neo-classical growth theory research, but is also a key component in the understanding of the transitional processes of China from a factor-driven to an innovation-driven economy. In this paper, relying on 2000–2014 year statistical data, drawn from China’s four centrally administered and 283 provincial-level cities, the paper’s authors apply Cobb–Douglas production function methods to the calculation of urban total factor productivity rates of increase, and to changes in differing factor inputs, to show how, during the period of interest, involved changes impacted China’s economic growth. The analysis finds that: (1) between the years 2001 and 2005, changes in total factor productivity represented an important source of economic growth, but that after 2005 China’s economic growth clearly exhibited physical capital-driven features; (2) from 2012 onwards, influenced by resource-based and heavy chemical industries, the decrease in total factor productivity of China’s central region cities was the greatest (among the various areas), revealing an “extensive” aspect, and in 2014 the contribution rates of the region’s cities’ physical capital and total factor productivity were 127.77% and [Formula: see text]36.6%, respectively; (3) examining the cities based on their differing classifications, after 2012, the contribution rates of the fourth-tier cities’ total factor productivities underwent severe declines, while in China’s first- and second-tier cities the contribution rates of their total factor productivities exhibited signs of recovery.

scholarly journals Conditional Efficiency of Official Development Assistance (ODA) on Economic Growth in Sub-Saharan Africa

2020 ◽  
Vol 16 (1) ◽  
pp. 1
Author(s):  
Ladifatou GACHILI NDI GBAMBIE ◽  
Ousseni MONGBET
Keyword(s):  
Economic Growth ◽  
Economic Policy ◽  
Negative Impact ◽  
Social Situation ◽  
Sub Saharan Africa ◽  
Method Of Moment ◽  
Sub Saharan ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Ssa Countries

<p>Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) countries have benefited for more than fifty years from international aid in the form of loans and/or donations. Nevertheless, they seem not to benefit from these massive financial resources (ODA) they receive because their economic and social situation is not very good. This study aims to assess the impact of ODA on economic growth in SSA and to see if its effect on growth is conditioned by the quality of the economic policy. The estimates are conducted on a dynamic panel of twenty-three SSA countries running from 1985 to 2014. With macroeconomic data from the World Bank's CD-ROM (World Development Indicators, 2015), the Generalized Method of Moment (GMM) system from Blundel and Bond (1998) was used. The results show that the impact of ODA on growth is not significant. Subsequently, when squared aid (ODA2) is included in the estimate, ODA becomes significant, meaning that a substantial amount of assistance is required to be effective in raising the economic growth rate of the SSA countries. In addition, the effectiveness of ODA is conditioned by the quality of the economic policy. This seems to be bad in SSA, hence the negative impact of the aid on economic growth.</p>

How does foreign direct investment affect growth in sub-Saharan Africa? New evidence from threshold analysis

2020 ◽  
Vol 47 (1) ◽  
pp. 149-181 ◽  
Author(s):  
Oyakhilome Ibhagui
Keyword(s):  
Economic Growth ◽  
Foreign Direct Investment ◽  
Population Growth ◽  
Direct Investment ◽  
Sub Saharan Africa ◽  
Threshold Analysis ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Threshold Levels ◽  
Sub Saharan ◽  
Ssa Countries

PurposeThe threshold regression framework is used to examine the effect of foreign direct investment on growth in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). The growth literature is awash with divergent evidence on the role of foreign direct investment (FDI) on economic growth. Although the FDI–growth nexus has been studied in diverse ways, very few studies have examined the relationship within the framework of threshold analysis. Furthermore, even where this framework has been adopted, none of the previous studies has comprehensively examined the FDI–growth nexus in the broader SSA. In this paper, within the standard panel and threshold regression framework, the problem of determining the growth impact of FDI is revisited.Design/methodology/approachSix variables are used as thresholds – inflation, initial income, population growth, trade openness, financial market development and human capital, and the analysis is based on a large panel data set that comprises 45 SSA countries for the years 1985–2013.FindingsThe results of this study show that the direct impact of FDI on growth is largely ambiguous and inconsistent. However, under the threshold analysis, it is evident that FDI accelerates economic growth when SSA countries have achieved certain threshold levels of inflation, population growth and financial markets development. This evidence is largely invariant qualitatively and is robust to different empirical specifications. FDI enhances growth in SSA when inflation and private sector credit are below their threshold levels while human capital and population growth are above their threshold levels.Originality/valueThe contribution of this paper is twofold. First, the paper streamlines the threshold analysis of FDI–growth nexus to focus on countries in SSA – previous studies on FDI-growth nexus in SSA are country-specific and time series–based (see Tshepo, 2014; Raheem and Oyınlola, 2013 and Bende-Nabende, 2002). This paper provides a panel analysis and considers a broader set of up to 45 SSA countries. Such a broad set of SSA countries had never been considered in the literature. Second, the paper expands on available threshold variables to include two new important macroeconomic variables, population growth and inflation which, though are important absorptive capacities but, until now, had not been used as thresholds in the FDI–growth literature. The rationale for including these variables as thresholds stems from the evidence of an empirical relationship between population growth and economic growth, see Darrat and Al-Yousif (1999), and between inflation and economic growth, see Kremer et al. (2013).

Estimation of Total Factor Productivity Growth (TFPG) of Major Cereal Crops in Rajasthan

2021 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Growth Rate ◽  
Total Factor Productivity ◽  
Production Function ◽  
Output Growth ◽  
Productivity Index ◽  
Cereal Crops ◽  
Total Output ◽  
Factor Productivity ◽  
Tfp Growth ◽  
Moderate Growth

Cereal crops provide essential nutrients and energy in the everyday human diet through direct human consumption and meat production since they comprise a major livestock feed. In the current study, the Tornqvist Theil Index was used to compute the total output index, total input index, and total factor productivity index. The Tornqvist Index is exact for the homogenous translog production function that can deliver a second-order approximation to an arbitrary twice differentiable homogenous production function. This study has indicated moderate TFP in wheat (1.45percent), and the contribution of TFP to output growth was high, about 87 percent for wheat in Rajasthan state. The annual compound growth rate of the TFP of barley increased at the rate of 1.65 percent per annum (moderate growth), and the contribution of TFP to output growth was average, at about 63.47. In comparison, the compound growth rate of TFP of annual maize crop increased at 1.80 percent per annum (moderate growth), while its TFP to output growth was about 73.09 percent. The annual compound growth rate of the TFP of bajra increased by 2.56 percent per year. The contribution of TFP to output growth was 61.29 percent for bajra in Rajasthan. The real cost of production of barley and maize increased by 0.88 and 1.59 percent, which decreased for wheat and bajra by -0.93 and -0.21 percent per annum, respectively. It was revealed that in the bajra crop, Rajasthan state showed good performance of TFP growth among the selected cereal crops. The technology, including agronomical practices, plant protection measures, and mechanization, helped to sustain TFP growth in the bajra crop.

scholarly journals Growth effect of income inequality in sub-Saharan Africa: exploring the transmission channels

2020 ◽  
Vol 56 (2) ◽  
pp. 176-190
Author(s):  
Ibrahim Abidemi Odusanya ◽  
Anthony Enisan Akinlo
Keyword(s):  
Economic Growth ◽  
Income Inequality ◽  
Generalized Method Of Moments ◽  
Sub Saharan Africa ◽  
Growth Effect ◽  
Credit Market Imperfection ◽  
Negative Effect ◽  
Sub Saharan ◽  
Positive Effect ◽  
Ssa Countries

AbstractSub-Saharan Africa (SSA) ranks as the second most unequal region globally (in terms of income distribution), harboring 10 of the 19 most unequal countries in the world. This paper explores the channels through which income inequality exerts its effects on economic growth in SSA. The study spans the period 1995–2015, focusing on 31 SSA countries. Findings from the two-step system generalized method of moments suggest that income inequality exerts a significant positive effect on economic growth via the saving transmission channel, while it has a statistically significant negative effect on economic growth in the region through the channels of fertility, credit market imperfection, and fiscal policy.

scholarly journals Human Capital, Higher Education Enrolment and Economic Growth in the SSA Countries (Panel Model Approach)

2018 ◽  
Vol 9 (6) ◽  
pp. 215
Author(s):  
Akinola G. W. ◽  
Bokana K. G.
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
Economic Growth ◽  
Human Capital ◽  
Total Factor Productivity ◽  
Least Square ◽  
Factor Productivity ◽  
African Countries ◽  
Weak Relationship ◽  
Specific Effects ◽  
Ssa Countries

This study offers exploratory analysis on the relationship among human capital, higher education enrolment and economic growth in SSA countries. With data from twenty-two African countries across the four economic blocs, five variables which include human capital formation, capital stock, employment rate, total factor productivity and higher education enrolment were regressed against gross domestic product per capital. Panel analysis which includes fixed and random effects analyses were carried out. We report results from fixed effect (within) regression as Hausman test suggests. It was discovered that SADC countries perform better among the four economic blocs. To further study individual country specific effects, we employ least square dummy variables (LSDV). Sixteen countries out of twenty-two exhibit specific effects. Our findings revealed that enrolment rate of higher education in SSA have a very weak relationship with economic growth in the SSA countries. This reflects why there is a weak relationship between economic growth and the total factor productivity and consequently negative consequential effects on our total factor productivity. The main policy implication is that for SSA countries to maintain sustainable economic growth, home based human capital must be given a priority in the form of increased higher education budget and financing. 

DOES REMITTANCE INFLOW PROMOTE HUMAN DEVELOPMENT IN SUB-SAHARAN AFRICA? AN EMPIRICAL INSIGHT

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-23
Author(s):  
MALAYARANJAN SAHOO ◽  
NARAYAN SETHI
Keyword(s):  
Economic Growth ◽  
Human Capital ◽  
Human Development ◽  
Financial Development ◽  
Sub Saharan Africa ◽  
Positive Effects ◽  
Long Run ◽  
Cointegration Tests ◽  
Sub Saharan ◽  
Ssa Countries

This paper examines the relationship between human development, remittances and other macroeconomic variables like life expectancy, human capital, FDI, inflation, economic growth and financial development by considering 31 Sub-Saharan African (SSA) countries during the period of 1990–2018. Kao and Fisher residual cointegration tests are applied to check the cointegration among the variables in the long-run. We apply fully modified OLS (FMOLS) and DOLS to show the long-run elasticity of explanatory variables on dependent variable. The result indicates that remittances have a positive and statistically significant effects on human development in SSA region. Similarly, government expenditure, human capital, inflation and economic growth have positive effects on human development in the region. Dumitrescu–Hurlin panel granger causality tests were observed such that there is a unidirectional causality between remittance and human development in SSA countries. However, human development and inflation rate show bi-directional relationship with each other. This paper suggests that public policies can be conceived to promote health, education and income, thereby encouraging and enhancing human development. Policymakers should also rely on other macroeconomic factors, such as government spending and financial development, to stimulate human development in SSA region.

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