Public Capital and Output Growth in Portugal: An Empirical Analysis

38 Pages Posted: 30 Jan 2006

See all articles by Jenny E. Ligthart

Jenny E. Ligthart

Tilburg University - CentER, Department of Economics; University of Groningen - Faculty of Economics and Business; CESifo (Center for Economic Studies and Ifo Institute)

Date Written: January 2000

Abstract

The paper investigates the growth effects of public capital in Portugal using annual data for the period 1965-95. Both a production function and a vector autoregressive model are estimated. Public capital is shown to be a significant long-term determinant of output growth. The size of the estimated production elasticity indicates, in line with studies for other countries, a substantial growth payoff from public investment. Disaggregating public capital shows that investment related to, among other things, roads, railways, and airports is more productive than public investment in other major categories.

Keywords: cointegration, granger causality, infrastructure, public investment

JEL Classification: H540

Suggested Citation

Ligthart, Jenny E., Public Capital and Output Growth in Portugal: An Empirical Analysis (January 2000). IMF Working Paper No. 00/11, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=879331

Jenny E. Ligthart (Contact Author)

Tilburg University - CentER, Department of Economics ( email )

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University of Groningen - Faculty of Economics and Business ( email )

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