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Corruption and Convergence in Human Development: Evidence from 69 Countries During 1990–2012

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  • Bienvenido Ortega

    () (Universidad de Málaga)

  • Antonio Casquero

    () (Universidad de Málaga)

  • Jesús Sanjuán

    () (Universidad de Málaga)

Abstract

The aim of this article was to analyse how corruption affects the convergence process in human development across countries. With this aim, the period 1990–2012 was analysed using the Human Development Index, raw data on life expectancy at birth, mean years of schooling, GNI per capita, and the Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI) published by Transparency International. This process was investigated by clustering 69 countries into three groups according to the level of the CPI during this period. The results suggest that the convergence process across clusters of countries is not homogeneous and that human development follows different patterns of growth. The results also suggest that if corruption damages growth in human development across countries, it is mainly caused by its negative impact on growth in income and health achievements.

Suggested Citation

  • Bienvenido Ortega & Antonio Casquero & Jesús Sanjuán, 2016. "Corruption and Convergence in Human Development: Evidence from 69 Countries During 1990–2012," Social Indicators Research: An International and Interdisciplinary Journal for Quality-of-Life Measurement, Springer, vol. 127(2), pages 691-719, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:soinre:v:127:y:2016:i:2:d:10.1007_s11205-015-0968-8
    DOI: 10.1007/s11205-015-0968-8
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