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Relative impact of domestic and foreign public debt on economic growth in South Africa

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  • Saungweme, Talknice
  • Odhiambo, Nicholas M

Abstract

This paper investigates the debt-growth nexus by testing both the impact of aggregate public debt on economic growth, and the relative impact of domestic and foreign public debt on economic growth using South Africa as the case study ? from 1970 to 2017. Based on the autoregressive distributed lag (ARDL) technique, the findings reveal that the impact of aggregated public debt on economic growth in South Africa is statistically significant and negative, both in the short run and in the long run. The results further reveal that domestic public debt and economic growth have a statistically significant and positive relationship in the short run only. Furthermore, foreign public debt has a statistically significant and negative relationship with economic growth but only in the long run. Therefore, the study recommends the government to manage effectively its debt and to finance long-term high returning productive investments that should translate into economic growth. Finally, the study cautions the country against growing public debt, predominantly foreign debt, to finance its increasing recurrent expenditure needs.

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  • Saungweme, Talknice & Odhiambo, Nicholas M, 2020. "Relative impact of domestic and foreign public debt on economic growth in South Africa," Working Papers 26641, University of South Africa, Department of Economics.
    • Handle: RePEc:uza:wpaper:26641
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    Cited by:

    1. Saungweme Talknice & Odhiambo Nicholas M., 2021. "Public debt and inflation dynamics: Empirical evidence from Zimbabwe," Croatian Review of Economic, Business and Social Statistics, Sciendo, vol. 7(2), pages 14-30, December.
    2. Talknice Saungweme & Nicholas M. Odhiambo, 2021. "Inflation and Economic Growth in Kenya: An Empirical Examination," Advances in Decision Sciences, Asia University, Taiwan, vol. 25(3), pages 1-25, September.
    3. Saungweme Talknice & Odhiambo Nicholas M., 2021. "Public debt and inflation dynamics: Empirical evidence from Zimbabwe," Croatian Review of Economic, Business and Social Statistics, Sciendo, vol. 7(2), pages 14-30, December.
    4. Callistus Tabansi Okeke & Chinwe Ann Anisiobi & Chinwe Monica Madueke, 2023. "Public Debt and Economic Growth: Empirical Evidence from Nigeria," International Journal of Research and Innovation in Social Science, International Journal of Research and Innovation in Social Science (IJRISS), vol. 7(3), pages 705-718, March.
    5. Talknice Saungweme & Nicholas M. Odhiambo, 2021. "Inflation and Economic Growth in Kenya: An Empirical Examination," Advances in Decision Sciences, Asia University, Taiwan, vol. 25(3), pages 1-25, September.
    6. Sheilla Nyasha & Nicholas M. Odhiambo & Mercy T. Musakwa, 2022. "Bank Development and Unemployment in Kenya: An Empirical Investigation," Managing Global Transitions, University of Primorska, Faculty of Management Koper, vol. 20(2 (Summer), pages 85-107.
    7. Saungweme Talknice & Odhiambo Nicholas M., 2021. "Public debt and inflation dynamics: Empirical evidence from Zimbabwe," Croatian Review of Economic, Business and Social Statistics, Sciendo, vol. 7(2), pages 14-30, December.
    8. P. B. Zondi & Z. Robinson, 2021. "The Relationship between Government Debt and Economic Growth in South Africa with Specific Reference to Eskom," EuroEconomica, Danubius University of Galati, issue 2(40), pages 17-34, November.
    9. Talknice Saungweme & Nicholas M. Odhiambo, "undated". "Public Debt And Inflation Dynamics: Empirical Evidence From Zimbabwe," Working Papers AESRI05, African Economic and Social Research Institute (AESRI).

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    Keywords

    Public debt; domestic public debt; foreign public debt; economic growth; South Africa;
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