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The role of economic prosperity on informality in Africa: evidence of corruption thresholds from PSTR

Author

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  • Loudi Njoya

    (University of Dschang, Cameroon)

  • Ibrahim Ngouhouo

    (University of Dschang, Cameroon)

  • Simplice A. Asongu

    (Yaoundé, Cameroon)

  • Friedrich Schneider

    (Kepler University of Linz, Austria)

Abstract

This paper is interested in explaining the causes of the simultaneous evolution between economic growth and informality. Using a large annual panel of African countries with a time series of 25 years, ours results show that when the corruption rate is above (below) a threshold of 1.3577, economic growth reduces (increases) informal economic sector. The corruption proxy is measured as a decreasing function of corruption such that higher levels of the corruption proxy translate lower levels of corruption. It is therefore desirable for policymakers to improve the transparency of interactions between firms, public and private agents to fight corruption, in view of decreasing the informal economic sector through economic growth.

Suggested Citation

  • Loudi Njoya & Ibrahim Ngouhouo & Simplice A. Asongu & Friedrich Schneider, 2022. "The role of economic prosperity on informality in Africa: evidence of corruption thresholds from PSTR," Working Papers 22/012, European Xtramile Centre of African Studies (EXCAS).
    • Handle: RePEc:exs:wpaper:22/012
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    Cited by:

    1. Ibrahim Ngouhouo & Loudi Njoya & Simplice A. Asongu, 2022. "Corruption, Economic Growth and the Informal Sector: Empirical Evidence from Developing Countries," Working Papers of the African Governance and Development Institute. 22/014, African Governance and Development Institute..

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Informal sector; Growth; Corruption; African countries;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • D73 - Microeconomics - - Analysis of Collective Decision-Making - - - Bureaucracy; Administrative Processes in Public Organizations; Corruption
    • F47 - International Economics - - Macroeconomic Aspects of International Trade and Finance - - - Forecasting and Simulation: Models and Applications
    • J46 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Particular Labor Markets - - - Informal Labor Market
    • O1 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Economic Development
    • O17 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Economic Development - - - Formal and Informal Sectors; Shadow Economy; Institutional Arrangements
    • O47 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Economic Growth and Aggregate Productivity - - - Empirical Studies of Economic Growth; Aggregate Productivity; Cross-Country Output Convergence

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