Is Economic Growth Criminogenic for Developing Economies? Evidence from Firm Surveys

35 Pages Posted: 18 Dec 2011 Last revised: 14 May 2013

See all articles by Asif Islam

Asif Islam

World Bank - Development Economics Group (DEC)

Date Written: May 14, 2013

Abstract

Several studies have explored the relationship between economy level crime rates or individual level crime and economic growth. However, few studies have examined the relationship between economic growth and crime against firms. Using data for about 12,000 firms in 27 developing countries we find that economic growth is negatively associated with crime. We also find that several macro-economic factors can weaken or strengthen the relationship between crime and economic growth. Results are affirmed using a smaller panel of firms for which data are available. The results are robust to various sensitivity checks.

Keywords: crime, firms, economic growth, development

JEL Classification: K42, O10, O40, O50

Suggested Citation

Islam, Asif Mohammed, Is Economic Growth Criminogenic for Developing Economies? Evidence from Firm Surveys (May 14, 2013). Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=1974087 or http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.1974087

Asif Mohammed Islam (Contact Author)

World Bank - Development Economics Group (DEC) ( email )

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

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