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Economic complexity and human development: a note

Author

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  • Athanasios Lapatinas

    (University of Ioannina)

Abstract

Existing studies establish a positive effect of the mix of products that a country produces on that country's pattern of economic development and growth. But “there is more to life than income†, hence, does this product mix also predict the people's “quality of life†? The theoretical arguments point out both positive and negative effects, but lack empirical support. In this note, we attempt to address these arguments by examining the impact of economic complexity on countries' social development. Utilizing a dynamic panel data econometric framework, we find no evidence of a causal effect of economic complexity on human development.

Suggested Citation

  • Athanasios Lapatinas, 2016. "Economic complexity and human development: a note," Economics Bulletin, AccessEcon, vol. 36(3), pages 1441-1452.
    • Handle: RePEc:ebl:ecbull:eb-16-00323
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

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    2. Gnangnon, Sèna Kimm, 2022. "Effect of the utilization of non-reciprocal trade preferences offered by the QUAD countries on beneficiary countries' economic complexity," Journal of the Japanese and International Economies, Elsevier, vol. 65(C).
    3. Dominik Hartmann & Flavio L. Pinheiro, 2022. "Economic complexity and inequality at the national and regional level," Papers 2206.00818, arXiv.org, revised Jun 2022.
    4. Emilie Le Caous & Fenghueih Huarng, 2020. "Economic Complexity and the Mediating Effects of Income Inequality: Reaching Sustainable Development in Developing Countries," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(5), pages 1-26, March.
    5. Diogo Ferraz & Fernanda P. S. Falguera & Enzo B. Mariano & Dominik Hartmann, 2021. "Linking Economic Complexity, Diversification, and Industrial Policy with Sustainable Development: A Structured Literature Review," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(3), pages 1-29, January.
    6. Isaac Ketu & Arsene Mouongue Kelly & Jules-Eric Tchapchet Tchouto, 2024. "Does economic complexity reduce the size of the shadow economy in African countries?," SN Business & Economics, Springer, vol. 4(1), pages 1-27, January.
    7. Emilie Sophie Le Caous & Fenghueih Huarng, 2021. "Economic Complexity and Human Development: Moderated by Logistics and International Migration," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(4), pages 1-23, February.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    economic complexity; export diversification; product diversification; human development; dynamic panel data analysis;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • O1 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Economic Development
    • C2 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Single Equation Models; Single Variables

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