Aid–Growth Nexus and Corruption

Abstract Using data on 71 aid recipient countries over the period 2000–2019, this study examines the effect of the size and composition of foreign aid (Official Development Assistance, ODA) on economic growth. The size of ODA is positively correlated with growth, and the impact of an increase in ODA on growth decreases when ODA reaches a certain level. The influence of the composition of ODA in terms of grants and loans on growth is estimated differently depending on sample selection. The sample is divided into two sub-samples based on the median of the corruption perception index. The regression results show that grants have a positive and significant impact on growth without sample selection. However, loans have a positive and significant impact on growth in the sub-sample of less corrupt countries, but a negative and significant impact on growth in the sub-sample of more corrupt countries. Therefore, the results suggest that ODA is useful for inducing growth in the early stages of development. However, improvement in the economic environment in terms of reduced corruption is required to increase the positive impact of ODA in the form of loans on growth.