IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/spr/snbeco/v5y2025i8d10.1007_s43546-025-00867-y.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

How has governance impacted debt servicing

Author

Listed:
  • Anselm Komla Abotsi

    (University of Education, Winneba)

Abstract

Debt servicing has remained a topical issue within academic circles and among most countries in recent times. The external debt service obligation has become a burden on many countries. This study explores how quality governance influences the ability of countries to fulfil their debt servicing obligations. The frequency of the data used is annual, and it spans from 1996 to 2022 for 102 countries. Using the system GMM estimation technique, the study finds that an improvement in government effectiveness, control of corruption, and political stability is associated with an increase in the debt service percentage of gross national income. It is recommended that governments improve the quality of public and civil services and avoid unproductive political interference, formulate quality and sound policies and be committed to their implementation, build confidence in economic agents, and ensure peaceful and stable countries to boost revenue generation to meet their debt service obligations.

Suggested Citation

  • Anselm Komla Abotsi, 2025. "How has governance impacted debt servicing," SN Business & Economics, Springer, vol. 5(8), pages 1-24, August.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:snbeco:v:5:y:2025:i:8:d:10.1007_s43546-025-00867-y
    DOI: 10.1007/s43546-025-00867-y
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: http://link.springer.com/10.1007/s43546-025-00867-y
    File Function: Abstract
    Download Restriction: Access to the full text of the articles in this series is restricted.
    File URL: https://libkey.io/10.1007/s43546-025-00867-y?utm_source=ideas
    LibKey link: if access is restricted and if your library uses this service, LibKey will redirect you to where you can use your library subscription to access this item
    ---><---

    As the access to this document is restricted, you may want to

    for a different version of it.

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Eric Friedman & Simon Johnson & Daniel Kaufmann & Pablo Zoido-Lobaton, 2007. "Dodging the Grabbing Hand: The Determinants of Unofficial Activity in 69 Countries," Palgrave Macmillan Books, in: Erik Berglöf & Gérard Roland (ed.), The Economics of Transition, chapter 9, pages 298-334, Palgrave Macmillan.
    2. Kazi Musa & Kazi Sohag & Jamaliah Said & Farha Ghapar & Norli Ali, 2023. "Public Debt, Governance, and Growth in Developing Countries: An Application of Quantile via Moments," Mathematics, MDPI, vol. 11(3), pages 1-13, January.
    3. Swamy, Vighneswara, 2015. "Government Debt and its Macroeconomic Determinants – An Empirical Investigation," MPRA Paper 64106, University Library of Munich, Germany.
    4. Chirwa Themba G. & Odhiambo Nicholas M., 2018. "Exogenous and Endogenous Growth Models: a Critical Review," Comparative Economic Research, Sciendo, vol. 21(4), pages 63-84, December.
    5. Qamar Abbas & Li Junqing & Muhammad Ramzan & Sumbal Fatima, 2021. "Role of Governance in Debt-Growth Relationship: Evidence from Panel Data Estimations," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(11), pages 1-19, May.
    6. Cohen, Daniel, 1993. "Low Investment and Large LDC Debt in the 1980's," American Economic Review, American Economic Association, vol. 83(3), pages 437-449, June.
    7. Talknice Saungweme & Nicholas M. Odhiambo, 2019. "Government debt, government debt service and economic growth nexus in Zambia: a multivariate analysis," Cogent Economics & Finance, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 7(1), pages 1622998-162, January.
    8. David Roodman, 2009. "How to do xtabond2: An introduction to difference and system GMM in Stata," Stata Journal, StataCorp LLC, vol. 9(1), pages 86-136, March.
    9. Cuervo-Cazurra, Alvaro, 2008. "Better the devil you don't know: Types of corruption and FDI in transition economies," Journal of International Management, Elsevier, vol. 14(1), pages 12-27, March.
    10. repec:spo:wpmain:info:hdl:2441/67pdgvv1o1924au1fvpb4bng12 is not listed on IDEAS
    11. Hernán Ricardo Briceño & Javier Perote, 2020. "Determinants of the Public Debt in the Eurozone and Its Sustainability Amid the Covid-19 Pandemic," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(16), pages 1-29, August.
    12. Anselm Komla Abotsi & Tongyai Iyavarakul, 2015. "Tolerable Level of Corruption for Foreign Direct Investment in Africa," Contemporary Economics, Vizja University, vol. 9(3), September.
    13. Friedrich Heinemann, 2006. "Factor mobility, government debt and the decline in public investment," International Economics and Economic Policy, Springer, vol. 3(1), pages 11-26, April.
    14. Ilhèm Gargouri & Majdi Ksantini, 2016. "The Determinants Of Public Debt," Romanian Economic Journal, Department of International Business and Economics from the Academy of Economic Studies Bucharest, vol. 18(59), pages 111-124, March.
    15. Stephen Cecchetti & Madhusudan Mohanty & Fabrizio Zampolli, 2011. "The real effects of debt," BIS Working Papers 352, Bank for International Settlements.
    16. Castro, Gabriela & Félix, Ricardo M. & Júlio, Paulo & Maria, José R., 2015. "Unpleasant debt dynamics: Can fiscal consolidations raise debt ratios?," Journal of Macroeconomics, Elsevier, vol. 44(C), pages 276-294.
    17. Krugman, Paul, 1988. "Financing vs. forgiving a debt overhang," Journal of Development Economics, Elsevier, vol. 29(3), pages 253-268, November.
    18. Anselm komla Abotsi, 2016. "Theory of Foreign Direct Investment and Corruption," International Journal of Asian Social Science, Asian Economic and Social Society, vol. 6(6), pages 359-378, June.
    19. Seth Nana Kwame Appiah-Kubi & Karel Malec & Joseph Phiri & Mikhail Krivko & Kamil Maitah & Mansoor Maitah & Luboš Smutka, 2022. "Key Drivers of Public Debt Levels: Empirical Evidence from Africa," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(3), pages 1-15, January.
    20. Wintoki, M. Babajide & Linck, James S. & Netter, Jeffry M., 2012. "Endogeneity and the dynamics of internal corporate governance," Journal of Financial Economics, Elsevier, vol. 105(3), pages 581-606.
    21. Anselm Komla Abotsi, 2016. "Theory of Foreign Direct Investment and Corruption," International Journal of Asian Social Science, Asian Economic and Social Society, vol. 6(6), pages 359-378.
    22. Madow Nagou & Nimonka Bayale & Brigitte Kanga Kouassi & Mariam Camarero, 2021. "On the robust drivers of public debt in Africa: Fresh evidence from Bayesian model averaging approach," Cogent Economics & Finance, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 9(1), pages 1860282-186, January.
    23. Samia OMRANE BELGUITH & Hanen OMRANE, 2017. "Macroeconomic determinants of public debt growth: A case study for Tunisia," Theoretical and Applied Economics, Asociatia Generala a Economistilor din Romania / Editura Economica, vol. 0(4(613), W), pages 161-168, Winter.
    24. Mencinger, Jernej & Verbic, Miroslav & Aristovnik, Aleksander, 2015. "Revisiting the role of public debt in economic growth: The case of OECD countries," MPRA Paper 67704, University Library of Munich, Germany.
    25. Gang Gong & Alfred Greiner & Willi Semmler, 2001. "Growth Effects of Fiscal Policy and Debt Sustainability in the EU," Empirica, Springer;Austrian Institute for Economic Research;Austrian Economic Association, vol. 28(1), pages 3-19, March.
    26. repec:cfe:wpcefa:2015_06 is not listed on IDEAS
    27. Mihaela Simionescu & Javier Cifuentes‐Faura, 2023. "Analysing public debt in the Mexican states: Spatial convergence, regional drivers and policy recommendations," Papers in Regional Science, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 102(4), pages 737-760, August.
    28. Eisl, Andreas, 2017. "Explaining variation in public debt: A quantitative analysis of the effects of governance," MaxPo Discussion Paper Series 17/1, Max Planck Sciences Po Center on Coping with Instability in Market Societies (MaxPo).
    29. repec:hal:spmain:info:hdl:2441/67pdgvv1o1924au1fvpb4bng12 is not listed on IDEAS
    30. Bogdan Florin FILIP, 2019. "Determinants of public debt. The case of the European Union countries," Theoretical and Applied Economics, Asociatia Generala a Economistilor din Romania / Editura Economica, vol. 0(Special), pages 61-70.
    31. Bergman, U. Michael & Hutchison, Michael M. & Jensen, Svend E. Hougaard, 2016. "Promoting sustainable public finances in the European Union: The role of fiscal rules and government efficiency," European Journal of Political Economy, Elsevier, vol. 44(C), pages 1-19.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. Anselm K. Abotsi, 2023. "Factors influencing the ability to honour debt repayment obligations by Governments in Africa," International Journal of Finance & Economics, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., vol. 28(1), pages 876-885, January.
    2. Anselm Komla Abotsi, 2024. "Fiscal policy sustainability and public debt in Africa," SN Business & Economics, Springer, vol. 4(1), pages 1-18, January.
    3. Andrea F Presbitero, 2012. "Total Public Debt and Growth in Developing Countries," The European Journal of Development Research, Palgrave Macmillan;European Association of Development Research and Training Institutes (EADI), vol. 24(4), pages 606-626, September.
    4. Kazi Musa & Kazi Sohag & Jamaliah Said & Farha Ghapar & Norli Ali, 2023. "Public Debt, Governance, and Growth in Developing Countries: An Application of Quantile via Moments," Mathematics, MDPI, vol. 11(3), pages 1-13, January.
    5. Carrera, Jorge & de la Vega, Pablo, 2021. "The impact of income inequality on public debt," The Journal of Economic Asymmetries, Elsevier, vol. 24(C).
    6. Anselm Komla Abotsi & Isaac Kwesi Ampah, 2024. "Public Debt and Economic Growth in Africa in the Pre-Covid Era: The Role of Control of Corruption," International Journal of Economics and Financial Issues, Econjournals, vol. 14(1), pages 144-153, January.
    7. Okombi, Idrys Fransmel & Mampieme, Vaccili Belneche, 2024. "Cyclicality of public debt in developing countries: Does dependence on natural resources matter?," Resources Policy, Elsevier, vol. 96(C).
    8. Anselm Komla Abotsi, 2018. "Tolerable Level of Corruption for Foreign Direct Investment in Europe and Asia," Contemporary Economics, Vizja University, vol. 12(3), September.
    9. Hlongwane, Nyiko Worship & Daw, Olebogeng David, 2022. "Determinants of public debt in South Africa: A Regime-Switching Approach," MPRA Paper 113203, University Library of Munich, Germany.
    10. Anselm Komla Abotsi, 2018. "Influence of Governance Indicators on Illicit Financial Outflow from Developing Countries," Contemporary Economics, Vizja University, vol. 12(2), June.
    11. Presbitero, Andrea F., 2008. "The Debt-Growth Nexus in Poor Countries: A Reassessment," Economics - The Open-Access, Open-Assessment E-Journal (2007-2020), Kiel Institute for the World Economy (IfW Kiel), vol. 2, pages 1-28.
    12. Ergin Akalpler, 2023. "Triggering economic growth to ensure financial stability: case study of Northern Cyprus," Financial Innovation, Springer;Southwestern University of Finance and Economics, vol. 9(1), pages 1-40, December.
    13. Johansson, Pernilla, 2010. "Debt Relief, Investment and Growth," World Development, Elsevier, vol. 38(9), pages 1204-1216, September.
    14. Rant, Vasja & Marinč, Matej & Porenta, Jan, 2021. "Debt and convergence: Evidence from the EU member states," Finance Research Letters, Elsevier, vol. 39(C).
    15. Riffat, Nisma & Munir, Kashif, 2015. "Exploring the Channels and Impact of Debt on Economic Growth in South Asia," MPRA Paper 66830, University Library of Munich, Germany.
    16. Johansson, Pernilla, 2008. "Debt Relief, Investment and Growth," Working Papers 2008:11, Lund University, Department of Economics.
    17. Ibrahim Ari & Muammer Koc, 2018. "Sustainable Financing for Sustainable Development: Understanding the Interrelations between Public Investment and Sovereign Debt," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 10(11), pages 1-25, October.
    18. Attahir Babaji Abubakar, 2020. "Does fiscal tightening (loosening) reduce public debt?," African Development Review, African Development Bank, vol. 32(4), pages 528-539, December.
    19. Jorge Carrera & Pablo de la Vega & Fernando Toledo, 2024. "Income inequality and fiscal policy over the political cycle," Empirical Economics, Springer, vol. 66(1), pages 301-325, January.
    20. Boukhatem, Jamel & Kaabi, Malèk, 2015. "Dette publique, qualité institutionnelle et croissance économique dans les pays de la région MENA : analyse par la méthode des moments généralisés [Public debt, institutional quality and economic g," MPRA Paper 65756, University Library of Munich, Germany, revised 23 Jul 2015.

    More about this item

    Statistics

    Access and download statistics

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:spr:snbeco:v:5:y:2025:i:8:d:10.1007_s43546-025-00867-y. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: Sonal Shukla or Springer Nature Abstracting and Indexing (email available below). General contact details of provider: http://www.springer.com .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.