Financial Development and Economic Growth

Abstract

Among the important factors that affect on economic growth such as physical and human capital, openness of economy etc., the role of financial intermediaries on economic growth has been overlooked. This research aims to investigate the role of financial structure and development as the indices of financial system development on economic growth. To this end, the study uses a regression analysis applying FMOLS method for the period of 1989 to 2011 for the selected Islamic countries. The results indicate that variables of financial structure and financial development have significant positive effects on economic growth. According to the findings, financial system based on market approach is more effective concerning the economic growth. Furthermore, the Granger Causality test indicates that there is a one-way causal relation between development of financial system and economic growth in the short run; however, this relationship has a two-way direction in the long run confirming the Patrick’s viewpoint of development.

Keywords

• economic growth
• financial development
• financial structure
• fmols method