Crescimento Econômico Comparado dos Municípios Alagoanos e Mineiros: Uma Análise Espacial

In this article, we investigate which variables determine the income per capita growthrates of the Alagoas? municipalities (up to 50.000 inhabitants) and of the Minas Gerais?municipalities (up to 50.000 inhabitants) between 1991 and 2000. In the econometricanalysis, we do not find spatial autocorrelation in the model for the small Alagoas?municipalities. In the case of Minas Gerais? municipalities, spatial autocorrelation isverified. The econometric results show that the economic growth determinants of arelatively rich state are not identical to the determinants of a relatively poor state.In respect to the model estimation for the small Alagoas? municipalities, only theGini index is significant and negative in the determination of income per capita growthrates. Concerning the small Minas Gerais? municipalities, we get four statically significantvariables: income per capita in 1991, years of schooling, percentage of households withaccess to the lightning and Gini index. We suspect, therefore, that small municipalitiesof a relatively poor state need an additional improvement than the ones verified inhis indicators of productivity and quality of life, so that those indicators can haveeffect on the income per capita growth rates. In view of that, in the small Alagoas?municipalities, the levels of productivity and quality of life are extremely low in relationto the small Minas Gerais? municipalities.