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Globalization and Absolute Poverty – A Panel Data Study

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  • Bergh, Andreas

    (Research Institute of Industrial Economics (IFN))

  • Nilsson, Therese

    (Lund University)

Abstract

Using panel data from more than 100 countries around the world from 1988 through 2007, this paper examines the relationship between economic and social globalization and absolute income poverty ex post. We use the globalization index developed by Dreher (2006) and the World Bank poverty estimates. Using a fixed-effect panel based on five-year averages and using a “long run” first difference regression, we find a robust negative correlation between globalization and poverty. We further examine mechanisms and robustness by separately analyzing the effects of components of economic (trade flows and trade policies) and social globalization (information flows, personal contact and cultural proximity) respectively, controlling for growth, education, inflation, urbanization, and government consumption. Results suggest that information flows and more liberal trade restrictions are robustly negatively correlated with absolute poverty. While growth decreases poverty in the long run, only a small part of the poverty-reducing effect of globalization is mediated via growth.

Suggested Citation

  • Bergh, Andreas & Nilsson, Therese, 2011. "Globalization and Absolute Poverty – A Panel Data Study," Working Paper Series 862, Research Institute of Industrial Economics.
    • Handle: RePEc:hhs:iuiwop:0862
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    Cited by:

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    2. Anderson, Edward & d'Orey, Maria Ana Jalles & Duvendack, Maren & Esposito, Lucio, 2018. "Does Government Spending Affect Income Poverty? A Meta-regression Analysis," World Development, Elsevier, vol. 103(C), pages 60-71.
    3. Aderemi Timothy Ayomitunde & Ogunleye Akin George & Lucas B. Ojo & Okoh Johnson Ifeanyi, 2020. "Globalization and Economic Growth: Evidence from European Countries," European Financial and Accounting Journal, Prague University of Economics and Business, vol. 2020(1), pages 67-82.
    4. Niklas Potrafke, 2015. "The Evidence on Globalisation," The World Economy, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 38(3), pages 509-552, March.
    5. Yameogo Claire E. W. & Omojolaibi Joseph A., 2022. "Regional Economic Integration and Its Impact on Income Distribution and the Poverty Level: The Case of the WAEMU Zone," Quaestiones Geographicae, Sciendo, vol. 41(2), pages 21-35, June.
    6. Yuanzhi Liu & Akintoye Victor Adejumo & Oluwabunmi Opeyemi Adejumo & Timothy Ayomitunde Aderemi, 2022. "Globalization and Economic Growth: A Sustainability Analysis for South Asian Countries," Global Policy, London School of Economics and Political Science, vol. 13(4), pages 507-522, September.
    7. Temilola Osinubi, Tolulope, 2020. "The Role Of Income Inequality In The Globalisation-Poverty Nexus: Empirical Evidence From Mint Countries," Ilorin Journal of Economic Policy, Department of Economics, University of Ilorin, vol. 7(2), pages 67-89, June.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Globalization; Poverty; Panel Data;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • D30 - Microeconomics - - Distribution - - - General
    • F15 - International Economics - - Trade - - - Economic Integration
    • I32 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Welfare, Well-Being, and Poverty - - - Measurement and Analysis of Poverty

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