The effect of social expenditures on human development in the European Union

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ŞAŞMAZ M. Ü., CAGLE M. N., ÖZEN A.

Acta Oeconomica, vol.71, no.4, pp.627-643, 2021 (SSCI, Scopus) identifier

  • Publication Type: Article / Article
  • Volume: 71 Issue: 4
  • Publication Date: 2021
  • Doi Number: 10.1556/032.2021.00043
  • Journal Name: Acta Oeconomica
  • Journal Indexes: Social Sciences Citation Index (SSCI), Scopus, International Bibliography of Social Sciences, Periodicals Index Online, EconLit, Geobase, Index Islamicus
  • Page Numbers: pp.627-643
  • Keywords: EU, human development, human development index, panel data, social expenditure
  • Open Archive Collection: AVESIS Open Access Collection
  • Uşak University Affiliated: Yes

Abstract

Researchers and practitioners alike have long debated the role of high GDP growth strategies and social expenditures (SE) in ensuring a better distribution of income and reduction of poverty. This study is aimed at investigating the effectiveness of social expenditures by offering the use of a robust methodology. Our sample consists of 27 EU countries (further divided into pre- and post-2000 members) between 2005 and 2017. We used panel data to determine whether social expenditures have a positive effect on the World Bank generated Human Development Index (HDI).