Trade Liberalization and Growth: New Evidence

Romain Wacziarg and Karen Horn Welch

No 10152, NBER Working Papers from National Bureau of Economic Research, Inc

Abstract: This paper revisits the empirical evidence on the relationship between economic integration and economic growth. First, we present an updated dataset of openness indicators and trade liberalization dates for a wide cross-section of countries in the 1990s. Second, we extend the Sachs and Warner (1995) study of the relationship between trade openness and economic growth to the 1990s, discussing recent criticisms of their measurement and estimation framework. Our results suggest that the cross-sectional findings of Sachs and Warner are sensitive to the period under consideration. In particular, an updated version of their dichotomous trade policy openness indicator does not enter significantly in growth regressions for the 1990s. Third, and most importantly, we present new evidence on the time paths of economic growth, physical capital investment and openness around episodes of trade policy liberalization. In sharp contrast to our cross-sectional results, we find that liberalization has, on average, robust positive effects on growth, openness and investment rates within countries. We illustrate these large sample findings with detailed case studies in a subsample of representative countries.

JEL-codes: F1 F4 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2003-12
New Economics Papers: this item is included in nep-dev
Note: EFG ITI
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Citations: View citations in EconPapers (351)

Published as Wacziarg, Romain and Karen Horn Welch. "Trade Liberalization and Growth: New Evidence." World Bank Economic Review 22, 2 (June 2008): 187-231.

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Journal Article: Trade Liberalization and Growth: New Evidence (2008)
Working Paper: Trade Liberalization and Growth: New Evidence (2003)
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