Growth (But Not Only) Is Good for the Poor: Some Cross-Country Evidence to Promote Growth and Shared Prosperity in Haiti

This paper investigates the determinants of income growth for the poorest 40% of the population in Haiti, utilizing panel data from 117 countries over the period 1967 to 2011. The study employs cross-country regressions to estimate income drivers for the poorest two income quintiles, focusing on macroeconomic stability, human capital (education and health), and physical capital (infrastructure). The results indicate that maintaining macroeconomic stability and investing in human and physical capital are associated with faster overall economic growth and, more importantly, with faster income growth for the poorest segments of the population. The paper concludes that there need not be a trade-off between inequality and growth, and that economies can foster faster growth while also increasing inclusiveness.