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Does HIV/AIDS matter for economic growth in sub-Saharan Africa?

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  • Anthony Mveyange
  • Christian Skovsgaard
  • Tine Lesner

Abstract

Estimating the impact of HIV/AIDS epidemic on economic growth is challenging because of endogeneity concerns. In this paper, we use novel data on male circumcision and distance from the first HIV outbreak as instrumental variables for the HIV/AIDS epidemic in 241 regions across 25 countries in sub-Saharan Africa during 2003-12. Our main finding shows that the impact of HIV/AIDS epidemic on economic growth is negative but statistically insignificant.

Suggested Citation

  • Anthony Mveyange & Christian Skovsgaard & Tine Lesner, 2015. "Does HIV/AIDS matter for economic growth in sub-Saharan Africa?," WIDER Working Paper Series wp-2015-086, World Institute for Development Economic Research (UNU-WIDER).
    • Handle: RePEc:unu:wpaper:wp-2015-086
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