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Labor productivity growth in sub-Sahara African LDCs: sectoral contributions and macroeconomic factors

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  • Azenui, Ngwinui Belinda
  • Rada, Codrina

Abstract

This paper has two objectives. The first is to identify sectoral contributions to labor productivity growth in thirty sub-Sahara African LDCs over 1991–2018. The second objective is to assess the strength of the relation between aggregate labor productivity growth and its sectoral components, and several factors that are said to promote economic growth. Our analysis provides weak evidence that global integration through trade benefits productivity growth within sectors or growth-enhancing structural transformation in the African LDCs. We find more signs that manufacturing and foreign direct investment associate with labor productivity growth and its components at both aggregate and sectoral level. Exporters of minerals are the exception. For these countries a significant but negative estimate for foreign direct investment emerges.

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  • Azenui, Ngwinui Belinda & Rada, Codrina, 2021. "Labor productivity growth in sub-Sahara African LDCs: sectoral contributions and macroeconomic factors," Structural Change and Economic Dynamics, Elsevier, vol. 56(C), pages 10-26.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:streco:v:56:y:2021:i:c:p:10-26
    DOI: 10.1016/j.strueco.2020.07.005
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    2. Kausik Gangopadhyay & Debasis Mondal & Thasni T, 2024. "The Decomposition of Productivity Growth for India: Before and After 1991," IIM Kozhikode Society & Management Review, , vol. 13(1), pages 90-100, January.
    3. Kacou, Kacou Yves Thierry & Kassouri, Yacouba & Evrard, Talnan Hongwopena & Altuntaş, Mehmet, 2022. "Trade openness, export structure, and labor productivity in developing countries: Evidence from panel VAR approach," Structural Change and Economic Dynamics, Elsevier, vol. 60(C), pages 194-205.
    4. Ngwinui Belinda Azenui, 2024. "Why is Labor in the SSA LDCs Moving from One Low Productivity Sector to Another?," The European Journal of Development Research, Palgrave Macmillan;European Association of Development Research and Training Institutes (EADI), vol. 36(1), pages 216-242, February.
    5. Norbu, Nyingtob Pema & Tateno, Yusuke & Bolesta, Andrzej, 2021. "Structural transformation and production linkages in Asia-Pacific least developed countries: An input-output analysis," Structural Change and Economic Dynamics, Elsevier, vol. 59(C), pages 510-524.
    6. Jorge Antunes & Goodness C. Aye & Rangan Gupta & Peter Wanke & Yong Tan, 2020. "Endogenous Long-Term Productivity Performance in Advanced Countries: A Novel Two-Dimensional Fuzzy-Monte Carlo Approach," Working Papers 2020111, University of Pretoria, Department of Economics.
    7. Lin, Boqiang & Zhou, Yicheng, 2021. "How does vertical fiscal imbalance affect the upgrading of industrial structure? Empirical evidence from China," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 170(C).
    8. Kouakou Jean Fidele SIÉ, 2023. "Industrial policy and labour productivity growth in Africa: does the technology choice matter?," Journal of Economic Structures, Springer;Pan-Pacific Association of Input-Output Studies (PAPAIOS), vol. 12(1), pages 1-24, December.

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