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Statistical disclosure and economic growth: What is the nexus?

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  • Hodelin, Reynaldo Senra

Abstract

Although the benefits of information for the quality of economic decisions have been highlighted by numerous theoretical studies, only a few empirical studies have investigated the relevance of statistics for the economy. It is particularly surprising that no previous empirical study has researched the existence of a causal link running from statistical disclosure to long-run economic growth. Our research investigates the existence of this nexus in a panel of 105 countries. We applied methodologies for non-stationary panel data in order to assess the long-run causality. We found that data availability was causing long-run economic growth in all income level groups but in the high income one. However, the higher certainty about a positive causality was found in middle income nations. This is true because bidirectional causality was found in poor nations, where it is possible that statistical production demand more resources than it may generate by boosting economic growth. With regard to short-run causality, it was only found in middle income nations. Finally, we find that the publication of the indicators in the World Bank’s World Development Indicators database is in fact relevant for economic growth.

Suggested Citation

  • Hodelin, Reynaldo Senra, 2022. "Statistical disclosure and economic growth: What is the nexus?," World Development, Elsevier, vol. 160(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:wdevel:v:160:y:2022:i:c:s0305750x22002261
    DOI: 10.1016/j.worlddev.2022.106036
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    2. Dang, Hai Anh H. & Jolliffe, Dean & Serajuddin, Umar & Stacy, Brian, 2024. "Country statistical capacity: a recent assessment tool and further reflections on the way forward," LSE Research Online Documents on Economics 124060, London School of Economics and Political Science, LSE Library.
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    JEL classification:

    • C33 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Multiple or Simultaneous Equation Models; Multiple Variables - - - Models with Panel Data; Spatio-temporal Models
    • D83 - Microeconomics - - Information, Knowledge, and Uncertainty - - - Search; Learning; Information and Knowledge; Communication; Belief; Unawareness
    • F63 - International Economics - - Economic Impacts of Globalization - - - Economic Development
    • H41 - Public Economics - - Publicly Provided Goods - - - Public Goods
    • O11 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Economic Development - - - Macroeconomic Analyses of Economic Development

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