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A Versus K Revisited: Evidence from Selected MENA Countries

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  • Abu-Qarn, Aamer
  • Abu-Bader, Suleiman

Abstract

This paper reconsiders the A versus K debate, namely, which factor is the leading contributor to economic growth? productivity gains (A) or factor accumulation (K). The growth accounting analysis is conducted for ten Middle Eastern and North African (MENA) countries over the period 1960-1998. The long-run share of capital in national income is estimated using cointegration (country-specific) and panel data (region-specific) methods. We find that for most of the countries in our sample the share of capital is much higher than the conventional share of 0.3-0.4. The growth accounting exercise conducted with the incorporation of human capital reveals that for the MENA region the contribution of productivity gains to economic growth is negligible and frequently even detrimental. Thus, we conclude that it is factor (both physical and human) accumulation that drives the economic performance of MENA economies.

Suggested Citation

  • Abu-Qarn, Aamer & Abu-Bader, Suleiman, 2005. "A Versus K Revisited: Evidence from Selected MENA Countries," MPRA Paper 1114, University Library of Munich, Germany.
    • Handle: RePEc:pra:mprapa:1114
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    1. Hans Joachim Schalk, "undated". "Analysing Growth and Productivity in Syria by Growth Accounting," Working Papers 201176, Institute of Spatial and Housing Economics, Munster Universitary.
    2. Schalk, Hans Joachim, 2011. "Analysing growth and productivity in Syria by growth accounting," CAWM Discussion Papers 50, University of Münster, Münster Center for Economic Policy (MEP).

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Growth Accounting; Productivity and Factor Accumulation; MENA; Middle-East; Cointegration; Panel Data;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • O47 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Economic Growth and Aggregate Productivity - - - Empirical Studies of Economic Growth; Aggregate Productivity; Cross-Country Output Convergence
    • C23 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Single Equation Models; Single Variables - - - Models with Panel Data; Spatio-temporal Models
    • O53 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Economywide Country Studies - - - Asia including Middle East
    • C22 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Single Equation Models; Single Variables - - - Time-Series Models; Dynamic Quantile Regressions; Dynamic Treatment Effect Models; Diffusion Processes

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