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Assessing the Effect of Trade Openness on Health in the MENA Region: a Panel Data Analysis

Author

Listed:
  • Fredj Jawadi

    (University of Evry)

  • Sami Gouddi

    (Centre d’Etudes et de Recherches Economiques et Sociales)

  • Zied Ftiti

    (EDC Paris Business School, OCRE-Lab
    University of Tunis, ISGT, LR GEF2A, 1002 Bouchoucha Le Bardo)

  • Abdeljaoued Kacem

    (University of Evry)

Abstract

This study examines the effect of trade openness on the health outcomes of 12 countries in the MENA (Middle East and North Africa) region: Algeria, Bahrain, Egypt, Jordan, Morocco, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Tunisia, Turkey, and the UAE. By using a panel data investigation over 1970–2015, we check whether the trade of these countries with developed economies (using the proxy of G7 countries) and the rest of the world affects life expectancy and the infant mortality rate. We also assess the moderating effect of governmental corruption. Our findings show two interesting results. First, trade openness has a positive effect on health in the MENA region as it reduces the infant mortality rate and boosts life expectancy for both men and women. Second, better control over corruption and more focus on trade with developed countries would lead to more technology and information spillovers, which positively affect the health sector.

Suggested Citation

  • Fredj Jawadi & Sami Gouddi & Zied Ftiti & Abdeljaoued Kacem, 2018. "Assessing the Effect of Trade Openness on Health in the MENA Region: a Panel Data Analysis," Open Economies Review, Springer, vol. 29(2), pages 469-479, April.
    • Handle: RePEc:kap:openec:v:29:y:2018:i:2:d:10.1007_s11079-017-9450-3
    DOI: 10.1007/s11079-017-9450-3
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    2. AIGHEYISI Oziengbe Scott & OLIGBI O. Blessing, 2019. "Trade Openness, Foreign Direct Investment And Life Expectancy In Nigeria," Annals of Faculty of Economics, University of Oradea, Faculty of Economics, vol. 1(2), pages 351-365, December.
    3. Najeh Bouchoucha, 2024. "Does Trade Openness and Environmental Quality Matter for Health Status? Evidence from African Countries," Journal of the Knowledge Economy, Springer;Portland International Center for Management of Engineering and Technology (PICMET), vol. 15(2), pages 5729-5745, June.
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    6. Alberto Chong & Carla Srebot, 2023. "Can Regional Trade Agreements Negatively Impact Primary Schooling?," Open Economies Review, Springer, vol. 34(2), pages 317-339, April.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Trade openness; Health; Life expectancy; Infant mortality; Panel data; Mena;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • F10 - International Economics - - Trade - - - General
    • I10 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Health - - - General
    • C23 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Single Equation Models; Single Variables - - - Models with Panel Data; Spatio-temporal Models

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