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Structural Change, Capital’s Contribution, and Economic Efficiency: Sources of China’s Economic Growth Between 1952-1998

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  • Wang, Zijian

    (Department of Economics, School of Economics and Commercial Law, Göteborg University)

  • Wei, Jiegen

    (Department of Economics, School of Economics and Commercial Law, Göteborg University)

Abstract

This paper examines the effects of structural change, long-term TFP trend and marginal return to capital on China’s economic growth, comparing such effects with those in the other East Asian economies. Our empirical results show that China’s TFP converges to a higher level, and that the marginal return to capital declines dramatically in the late 1990s. Capital contributes much less, while labor contributes more to China’s post-reform growth. China is catching up via technology adoption from the developed economies, and this in turn results in higher TFP growth. Future growth hinges on improving efficiency in the capital allocation system, whose distortions cause the declining marginal return to capital.

Suggested Citation

  • Wang, Zijian & Wei, Jiegen, 2004. "Structural Change, Capital’s Contribution, and Economic Efficiency: Sources of China’s Economic Growth Between 1952-1998," Working Papers in Economics 130, University of Gothenburg, Department of Economics, revised 05 Apr 2004.
    • Handle: RePEc:hhs:gunwpe:0130
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    File URL: http://hdl.handle.net/2077/2789
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. Ulrich Fritsche & Vladimir Kuzin, 2011. "Analysing convergence in Europe using the non-linear single factor model," Empirical Economics, Springer, vol. 41(2), pages 343-369, October.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    economic growth; total factor productivity; capital contribution; GARCH model;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • C22 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Single Equation Models; Single Variables - - - Time-Series Models; Dynamic Quantile Regressions; Dynamic Treatment Effect Models; Diffusion Processes
    • C89 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Data Collection and Data Estimation Methodology; Computer Programs - - - Other
    • O38 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Innovation; Research and Development; Technological Change; Intellectual Property Rights - - - Government Policy
    • O47 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Economic Growth and Aggregate Productivity - - - Empirical Studies of Economic Growth; Aggregate Productivity; Cross-Country Output Convergence
    • O53 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Economywide Country Studies - - - Asia including Middle East

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