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An empirical characterization of the effects of public debt on economic growth

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  • María del Carmen Ramos-Herrera
  • Simón Sosvilla-Rivero

Abstract

Based on a data set of 115 economies, this article empirically investigates the relation between public debt and economic growth. Using the World Bank’s classification for income groups, we initially find that those countries that present the lowest public debt are characterized by the highest economic growth, while the smallest growth rates are associated with the highest public debt. Nevertheless, this conclusion is tempered when we analyse the countries by income level: low-income countries have a different behaviour with respect to lower-middle, upper-middle and high-income countries. When using the IMF’s country classification, the results do not suggest a clear pattern in the public debt–economic growth nexus across different countries, but indicate a heterogeneous relationship between such key macroeconomic variables.

Suggested Citation

  • María del Carmen Ramos-Herrera & Simón Sosvilla-Rivero, 2017. "An empirical characterization of the effects of public debt on economic growth," Applied Economics, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 49(35), pages 3495-3508, July.
    • Handle: RePEc:taf:applec:v:49:y:2017:i:35:p:3495-3508
    DOI: 10.1080/00036846.2016.1262522
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    2. Omotor, Douglason G., 2019. "A Thrifty North and An Impecunious South: Nigeria's External Debt and the Tyranny of Political Economy," MPRA Paper 115292, University Library of Munich, Germany, revised 12 Oct 2019.
    3. Mindaugas Butkus & Janina Seputiene, 2018. "Growth Effect of Public Debt: The Role of Government Effectiveness and Trade Balance," Economies, MDPI, vol. 6(4), pages 1-27, November.
    4. Abdul Jalil, 2020. "Debt Sustainability: Economic Growth is the Panacea," PIDE Knowledge Brief 2020:19, Pakistan Institute of Development Economics.

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