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A New Global Index of Infrastructure: Construction, Rankings and Applications
Author(s) -
Donaubauer Julian,
Meyer Birgit E.,
Nunnenkamp Peter
Publication year - 2016
Publication title -
the world economy
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.594
H-Index - 68
eISSN - 1467-9701
pISSN - 0378-5920
DOI - 10.1111/twec.12290
Subject(s) - index (typography) , cover (algebra) , construct (python library) , regional science , economics , econometrics , computer science , actuarial science , business , geography , engineering , mechanical engineering , world wide web , programming language
We construct comprehensive and comparable indices on the most relevant components of economic infrastructure. An unobserved components model is employed to cover the largest possible number of developing and developed countries over the period 1990–2010. We map major findings from the new indices of infrastructure and provide country rankings, which we also compare with subjective assessments of infrastructure in the W orld E conomic F orum's G lobal C ompetitiveness R eport. Finally, we exemplify possible applications related to trade and foreign aid. By overcoming several data limitations, our new global index can help assess the links between infrastructure and economic development more systematically.