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Economic complexity and financial development: A multilayered analysis of the European Union

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  • Zechlin, Linus

Abstract

The economic complexity framework by César Hidalgo and Ricardo Hausmann has inspired a substantial body of literature throughout recent years. Following previous research, which explored the various drivers of economic complexity, this article contributes by exploring the interplay with financial development. For the base sample of the European Union, a positive effect of financial development on economic complexity is found, identifying the financial institutions channel as the strongest driver of the Economic Complexity Index. Critical reflection leads to the assumption that a holistic replication of the study on a global scale could retrieve non-linear characteristics of said relationship.

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  • Zechlin, Linus, 2025. "Economic complexity and financial development: A multilayered analysis of the European Union," IPE Working Papers 258/2025, Berlin School of Economics and Law, Institute for International Political Economy (IPE).
    • Handle: RePEc:zbw:ipewps:323944
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    JEL classification:

    • C51 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Econometric Modeling - - - Model Construction and Estimation
    • G10 - Financial Economics - - General Financial Markets - - - General (includes Measurement and Data)
    • G20 - Financial Economics - - Financial Institutions and Services - - - General
    • O16 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Economic Development - - - Financial Markets; Saving and Capital Investment; Corporate Finance and Governance
    • O30 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Innovation; Research and Development; Technological Change; Intellectual Property Rights - - - General

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