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At what level of corruption does economic growth decrease?

Author

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  • Mohamed Ali Trabelsi
  • Hédi Trabelsi

Abstract

Purpose - The purpose of this study is to examine the impact of corruption on economic growth by testing the hypothesis that the relationship between these two variables is nonlinear and by assessing the veracity of the assumption that corruption is always detrimental to economic growth. Several cross-country studies have treated this question but the findings are not universally robust. Design/methodology/approach - In this paper, a panel data analysis has been used to examine 88 countries over the 1984-2011 period. A cross-sectional framework is used in which growth rate and the International Country Risk Guide (ICRG) index are observed only once for each country. Findings - The findings indicate that beyond an optimal threshold, both high and low corruption levels can decrease economic growth. Under this optimal threshold, a moderate level of corruption, defined by the point of reversal of the curve of the marginal corruption effect on growth, could have advantages for economic growth. Originality/value - This paper shows that the threshold would be a corruption level between 2.5 and 3, which represents the “acceptable corruption level”. This result is conforming to one of the ten principles of economics: “Rational people think at the marginal change”. This threshold represents the point where the marginal benefits of corruption are equal to marginal costs incurred by corruption. Conversely, lack of corruption may be a mechanism that slows down growth.

Suggested Citation

  • Mohamed Ali Trabelsi & Hédi Trabelsi, 2020. "At what level of corruption does economic growth decrease?," Journal of Financial Crime, Emerald Group Publishing Limited, vol. 28(4), pages 1317-1324, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:eme:jfcpps:jfc-12-2019-0171
    DOI: 10.1108/JFC-12-2019-0171
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

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    2. João Jungo & Mara Madaleno & Anabela Botelho, 2024. "Financial Literacy, Financial Innovation, and Financial Inclusion as Mitigating Factors of the Adverse Effect of Corruption on Banking Stability Indicators," Journal of the Knowledge Economy, Springer;Portland International Center for Management of Engineering and Technology (PICMET), vol. 15(2), pages 8842-8873, June.
    3. Chandan Sharma, 2021. "Does Corruption Sand The Wheels Of Financial Sector Development? Evidence From Global Panel Data," Journal of Financial Management, Markets and Institutions (JFMMI), World Scientific Publishing Co. Pte. Ltd., vol. 9(02), pages 1-32, December.
    4. Asiye Tutuncu & Yasar Bayraktar, 2024. "The effect of democracy and corruption paradox on economic growth: MINT countries," Economic Change and Restructuring, Springer, vol. 57(4), pages 1-25, August.
    5. Ade Paranata, 2025. "A Systematic Literature Review of Anti-corruption Policy: A Future Research Agenda in Indonesia," Public Organization Review, Springer, vol. 25(3), pages 1181-1214, September.
    6. Mohamed Ali Trabelsi, 2024. "The impact of corruption on economic growth: a nonlinear evidence," Journal of Social and Economic Development, Springer;Institute for Social and Economic Change, vol. 26(3), pages 953-962, December.
    7. Anisah Alfada, 2019. "Corruption and Economic Growth in ASEAN Member Countries," Economics and Finance in Indonesia, Faculty of Economics and Business, University of Indonesia, vol. 65, pages 111-131, Desember.
    8. Hatem Adela & Wadeema Aldhaheri, 2024. "The Impact of Crime against a Person on Domestic Investment in Dubai," JRFM, MDPI, vol. 17(2), pages 1-17, February.
    9. Gandjon Fankem, Gislain Stéphane & Ndzana, Wendelin, 2025. "Impact of institutions on the corruption-financial development nexus in Africa: non linearities and thresholds," Structural Change and Economic Dynamics, Elsevier, vol. 72(C), pages 391-411.
    10. Beatrice D. Simo-Kengne & Siphiwo Bitterhout, 2023. "Corruption's effect on BRICS countries' economic growth: a panel data analysis," Journal of Economics, Finance and Administrative Science, Emerald Group Publishing Limited, vol. 28(56), pages 257-272, May.
    11. Cordelia Onyinyechi Omodero, 2019. "The Implication of Corruption on Economic Progress of Nigeria," Review of European Studies, Canadian Center of Science and Education, vol. 11(2), pages 110-110, December.

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