Economic Growth and Poverty Reduction in Sub-Saharan Africa
Electronic Access:
Free Download. Use the free Adobe Acrobat Reader to view this PDF file
Summary:
This study confirms a strong and robust relationship between economic growth and poverty reduction in sub-Saharan Africa. Employing a panel of 46 countries covering the period 1972-97, the analysis finds that a 10 percent increase in per capita GDP leads to a 1 percent increase in life expectancy, a 3-4 percent decline in infant mortality rates, and a 3½-4 percent increase in the rate of gross primary school enrollment. The results are robust for high- and low-income, as well as fast- and slow-growth, countries. The study also finds that quality of growth, civil conflict, HIV/AIDs, civil and institutional freedom, and island economies are important control variables that help explain the variability of poverty across Africa. A country's latitude is not found to be a significant factor explaining life expectancy or infant mortality rates, though it is a significant factor explaining gross primary school enrollments.
Series:
Working Paper No. 2001/112
Subject:
Education Health National accounts Personal income Poverty Poverty reduction
English
Publication Date:
August 1, 2001
ISBN/ISSN:
9781451853605/1018-5941
Stock No:
WPIEA1122001
Pages:
32
Please address any questions about this title to publications@imf.org