Public Capita and Growth: The Role of Institutions in Development

Abstract

This study analyzes the links between public capital and growth using an econometric model of simultaneous equations, estimated on a panel of forty-three developing countries over the period 2003-2020. This growth model explains the determinants of GDP and public and private capital stocks. The accumulation of public, private and human capital generates externalities that are sources of endogenous growth. However, the formation of public capital generated a crowding out effect, to the detriment of that of private capital, because of differentiated budgetary constraints. Our results show that several developing countries have moved away from an optimal structure for the growth of sharing of available capital between the public and private sectors. In doing so, are institutions a prerequisite for the economic development of African countries.