Knowledge, technological catch-up and economic growth : a dynamic panel data analysis for mena and Latin America

Abstract EN

This paper aims to investigate the role of various knowledge indicators (human capital, research and development, information and communication technologies and trade) in the economic growth and catch-up performance of 17 Middle East and North Africa (MENA) countries and 18 Latin American countries during the 1980-2014 period, by utilizing dynamic panel data techniques.

The empirical results suggest a positive impact of knowledge indicators on the economic growth performances and that there is convergence to the common long-run equilibrium, in MENA and Latin American countries.