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Do EU structural funds promote regional growth? New evidence from various panel data approaches

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  • Mohl, P.
  • Hagen, T.

Abstract

This paper analyses the economic growth effects of EU structural funds extending the current literature by at least three aspects: Firstly, we make use of a new structural funds dataset of 126 NUTS-1/NUTS-2 regions as well as more precise measures of structural funds by distinguishing between Objective 1, 2, and 3 payments. In doing so, we include the Financial Perspective 2000-2006, which has not been analysed before. Secondly, we address the problem of endogeneity in a panel context by basing the identification on internal instruments via a system GMM estimator. Finally, we control for spatial spillover effects by applying a spatial panel econometric estimator. Our results show that Objective 1 payments in particular do, in fact, promote regional economic growth, whereas the total amount of Objectives 1, 2, and 3 do not have a positive and significant impact on the EU regions' growth rates.

Suggested Citation

  • Mohl, P. & Hagen, T., 2010. "Do EU structural funds promote regional growth? New evidence from various panel data approaches," Regional Science and Urban Economics, Elsevier, vol. 40(5), pages 353-365, September.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:regeco:v:40:y:2010:i:5:p:353-365
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