Health nutrition and economic growth nexus

Evidence from panel Granger causality test

Authors

  • Abdelghani Benlakhdar Laboratory of Economic Studies and Local Development in the South-West (L.E.S-LO.D), Faculty of Economic and Commercial Sciences and Management Sciences, Department of Economy, Mohammed Tahri University of Bechar (Algeria), Email: benlakhdar.abdelghani@univ-bechar.dz
  • Larbi Ikhlef ABOR Research and Economic Studies Laboratory, Mohamed Cherif Messadia University, Souk Ahras, Faculty of Economic Sciences, University Chadli Ben Djdid Eltarf, Algeria, Email: l.ikhlef@univ-soukahras.dz
  • Abdelouahab Mammeri Laboratory of Economic Studies and Local Development in the South-West (L.E.S-LO.D), Faculty of Economic and Commercial Sciences and Management Sciences, Department of Economy, University of Taheri Mohammed Béchar, Algeria
    https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5969-3452
  • Tawfik Ben Amor Member of LEFA Laboratory - IHEC Carthage Higher School of Digital Economy, Manouba, Tunisia, Email: tawfikbenamor@yahoo.fr

Keywords:

Nutrition, Economic Growth, health care expenditure, bootstrap panel causality test, Cross-sectional dependence, Heterogeneity

Abstract

The study investigates the causal relationship between healthcare expenditure, nutrition and economic growth in 10 countries representative of the Middle East & North Africa over the period 2000:2024. Bootstrap panel Granger causality test approach is used taking into account the cross-sectional dependency and the heterogeneity in these countries. The empirical results support a bi-directional causality between economic growth and nutrition in Tunisia and Iran. The same a bi-directional causality is supported in empirical results of economic growth and health care expenditure in Algeria and way granger causality is supported in economic growth and health care expenditure in Tunisia, Saudi Arabia and Jordan. We concluded a way granger causality is supported in health care expenditure and economic growth in Morocco and Iran. We also found way granger causality in the economic growth and nutrition in Egypt, Morocco, Jordan and Lebanon. The result of the causality tests reveal a way granger causality in nutrition and economic growth in Oman.

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Published

09-08-2025

How to Cite

Benlakhdar, A., Ikhlef, L., Mammeri, A., & Ben Amor, T. (2025). Health nutrition and economic growth nexus: Evidence from panel Granger causality test. The International Tax Journal, 52(4), 1444–1456. Retrieved from https://internationaltaxjournal.online/index.php/itj/article/view/153

Issue

Vol. 52 No. 4 (2025)

Section

Online Access

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