International Growth Spillovers, Geography and Infrastructure

54 Pages Posted: 20 Apr 2016

See all articles by Mark Roberts

Mark Roberts

University of Cambridge - Department of Land Economy

Uwe Deichmann

World Bank - Development Research Group (DECRG)

Date Written: December 1, 2009

Abstract

There is significant academic evidence that growth in one country tends to have a positive impact on growth in neighboring countries. This paper contributes to this literature by assessing whether growth spillovers tend to vary significantly across world regions and by investigating the contribution of transport and communication infrastructure in promoting neighborhood effects. The study is global, but the main interest is on Sub-Saharan Africa. The authors define neighborhoods both in geographic terms and by membership in the same regional trade association. The analysis finds significant evidence for heterogeneity in growth spillovers, which are strong between OECD countries and essentially absent in Sub-Saharan Africa. The analysis further finds strong interaction between infrastructure and being a landlocked country. This suggests that growth spillovers from regional"success stories"in Sub-Saharan Africa and other lagging world regions will depend on first strengthening the channels through which such spillovers can spread -- most importantly infrastructure endowments.

Keywords: Achieving Shared Growth, Transport Economics Policy & Planning, Economic Growth, Economic Theory & Research, Country Strategy & Performance

Suggested Citation

Roberts, Mark and Deichmann, Uwe, International Growth Spillovers, Geography and Infrastructure (December 1, 2009). World Bank Policy Research Working Paper No. 5153, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=1527363

Mark Roberts

University of Cambridge - Department of Land Economy ( email )

19 Silver Street
Cambridge, CB3 9EP
United Kingdom

HOME PAGE: http://www.landecon.cam.ac.uk

Uwe Deichmann (Contact Author)

World Bank - Development Research Group (DECRG) ( email )

1818 H. Street, N.W.
MSN3-311
Washington, DC 20433
United States

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