Growth variations across developing countries: how much and why

Abstract

The paper examines the extent and the causes of variations in economic growth across twenty-nine developing countries. The sample countries come from Asia, Africa, and South/Central America. It finds that while Brazil, Cameroon and Korea have witnessed a relatively higher growth rates; Chile, Ethiopia, Ghana, India, and Jamaica have experienced lower growth rates during the Sixties and Seventies. The principal factors responsible for varying performances are found to be the saving/investment rate, export, government expenditure, price distortions and multi-national corporations economic penetration rate. While the first three factors promote economic growth, the last two hamper it.