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Review of literature on the productivity of public capital

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  • Pellervo Hamalainen

    (Department of Economics, University of Turku, FINLAND)

Abstract

This paper summarizes previous results on the productivity of public capital. In recent literature, Aschauer's (1989) estimate for the productivity of public capital is often considered too high and the size of the effect is still open to debate. However, the positive effect of public capital on the productivity of the private sector is quite widely accepted.

Suggested Citation

  • Pellervo Hamalainen, 2009. "Review of literature on the productivity of public capital," Discussion Papers 55, Aboa Centre for Economics.
  • Handle: RePEc:tkk:dpaper:dp55
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    File URL: http://www.ace-economics.fi/kuvat/dp55.pdf
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Public capital; public investments; productivity;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • H11 - Public Economics - - Structure and Scope of Government - - - Structure and Scope of Government
    • H54 - Public Economics - - National Government Expenditures and Related Policies - - - Infrastructures

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