Defining Country Size: A Descriptive Analysis of Small and Large States

João Brito

MPRA Paper from University Library of Munich, Germany

Abstract: This paper defines the size of 215 countries using population and land area dimension. The statistical technique of cluster analysis was used to identify the groups of states that share the same characteristics of population and land area, and 83 countries were classified as small. From the descriptive analysis small size does not imply lower economic development/performance compared to large states. However, the economies of small states are more vulnerable. Proximity to developed markets, degree of economic freedom and openness to foreign markets were identified as the main factors explaining differences in economic performance among small states.

Keywords: Country Size; Small States; Cluster Analysis and Economic Growth (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O40 O50 O57 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2015-02
New Economics Papers: this item is included in nep-ger
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Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:pra:mprapa:66149

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