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Inspecting the Poverty-Trap Mechanism - A Quantile Regression Approach

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  • Jens J. Krüger

    (Friedrich-Schiller-University Jena)

Abstract

The issue of poverty traps is assessed using quantile regression. For that an augmentation of the usual convergence regressions by quadratic and cubic terms is used with emphasis on curve fitting rather than parameter estimation. The results show that the generic mechanism leading to poverty traps predominantly applies to countries with relatively low levels of income per capita or per worker that simultaneously have low growth rates around and below the lowest quintile of the growth rate distribution. The validity of the results is supported by a nonparametric variant of quantile regression.

Suggested Citation

  • Jens J. Krüger, 2007. "Inspecting the Poverty-Trap Mechanism - A Quantile Regression Approach," Jena Economics Research Papers 2007-106, Friedrich-Schiller-University Jena.
    • Handle: RePEc:jrp:jrpwrp:2007-106
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    nonlinear growth; poverty traps; quantile regression;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • O1 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Economic Development
    • O41 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Economic Growth and Aggregate Productivity - - - One, Two, and Multisector Growth Models
    • C14 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Econometric and Statistical Methods and Methodology: General - - - Semiparametric and Nonparametric Methods: General
    • C62 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Mathematical Methods; Programming Models; Mathematical and Simulation Modeling - - - Existence and Stability Conditions of Equilibrium

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