Share:


Does the insurance sector really matter for economic growth? Evidence from Central and Eastern European countries

    Yilmaz Bayar   Affiliation
    ; Marius Dan Gavriletea   Affiliation
    ; Dan Constantin Danuletiu   Affiliation

Abstract

This paper analyses the impact of insurance sector development on economic growth based on a sample that includes 14 Central and Eastern European (CEE) post-transition countries for a period of 19 years, from 1998 to 2016. Considering the presence of cross-section dependence and multiple structural breaks, recently developed panel econometric techniques were employed and led to the following conclusions: (1) life insurance has no significant effect on economic growth in both panel and individual countries, (2) non-life insurance positively affects economic growth in both panel and individual countries, (3) Dumitrescu and Hurlin causality test indicates a unidirectional causality running from economic growth to both life and non-life insurance and infers the absence of causal connection between life and non-life insurance and economic growth.

Keyword : insurance sector, life insurance penetration, non-life insurance penetration, economic growth, Central and Eastern Europe, multiple structural breaks, panel cointegration, causality

How to Cite
Bayar, Y., Dan Gavriletea, M., & Danuletiu, D. C. (2021). Does the insurance sector really matter for economic growth? Evidence from Central and Eastern European countries. Journal of Business Economics and Management, 22(3), 695-713. https://doi.org/10.3846/jbem.2021.14287
Published in Issue
Apr 1, 2021
Abstract Views
1789
PDF Downloads
1420
Creative Commons License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

References

Abusharbeh, M. T. (2017). The impact of banking sector development on economic growth: Empirical analysis from Palestinian economy. Journal of Emerging Issues in Economics, Finance and Banking (JEIEFB), 6(2), 2306–2316.

Adams, M., Andersson, J., Andersson, L., & Lindmark, M. (2005). The historical relation between banking, insurance, and economic growth in Sweden: 1830 to 1998 (Working paper). https://pdfs.semanticscholar.org/55e6/7eaca3876dc32d7820428c5479f27c88fe76.pdf

Adusei, M. (2013). Does finance promote growth in Botswana? Research in Applied Economics, 5(2), 70–81. https://doi.org/10.5296/rae.v5i2.3821

Ahmed, J., & Bashir, M. F. (2016). An empirical investigation of banking sector development and economic growth in a panel of Selected SAARC countries. Theoretical and Applied Economics, 23(2), 65–72.

Alhassan, A. L., & Biekpe, N. (2016). Insurance market development and economic growth: Exploring causality in 8 selected African countries. International Journal of Social Economics, 43(3), 321–339. https://doi.org/10.1108/IJSE-09-2014-0182

Ang, J. A., & McKibbin, W. J. (2007). Financial liberalization, financial sector development and growth: Evidence from Malaysia. Journal of Development Economics, 84(1), 215–233. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jdeveco.2006.11.006

Anton, S. G. (2019). Leverage and firm growth: An empirical investigation of gazelles from emerging Europe. International Entrepreneurship and Management Journal, 15, 209–232. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11365-018-0524-5

Arena, M. (2008). Does insurance market activity promote economic growth? A cross country study for industrialized and developing countries. Journal of Risk and Insurance, 75(4), 921–946. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1539-6975.2008.00291.x

Bagehot, W. (1873). Lombard street: A description of the money market. History of economic thought books. In McMaster University archive for the history of economic thought.

Bai, J., & Perron, P. (1998). Estimating and testing linear models with multiple structural changes. Econometrica, 66(1), 47–78. https://doi.org/10.2307/2998540

Balcilar, M., Gupta, R., Lee, C. C., & Olasehinde-Williams, G. (2019). Insurance-growth nexus in Africa. The Geneva Papers on Risk and Insurance – Issues and Practice, 45, 335–360. https://doi.org/10.1057/s41288-019-00145-7

Basher, A. B., & Westerlund, J. (2009). Panel cointegration and the monetary exchange rate model. Economic Modelling, 26(2), 506–513. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.econmod.2008.10.006

Bayar, Y., Borozan, D., & Gavriletea, M. D. (2020). Banking sector stability and economic growth in post‐transition European Union countries. International Journal of Finance & Economics, 1–13. https://doi.org/10.1002/ijfe.1829

Bayar, Y., & Gavriletea, D. M. (2018). Financial inclusion and economic growth: Evidence from transition economies of European Union. International Journal of Finance and Economics, 18(2), 95–100. https://doi.org/10.18374/JIFE-18-2.9

Beenstock, M., Dickinson, G., & Khajuria, S. (1988). The relationship between property-liability insurance and income: An international analysis. Journal of Risk and Insurance, 55(2), 259–272. https://doi.org/10.2307/253327

Beenstock, M., Dickinson, G., & Khajuria, S. (1986). The determination of life premiums: An international cross section analysis 1970–1981. Insurance, Mathematics and Economics, 5(4), 261–270. https://doi.org/10.1016/0167-6687(86)90020-X

Bittencourt, M. (2012). Financial development and economic growth in Latin America: Is Schumpeter right? Journal of Policy Modeling, 34(3), 341–355. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jpolmod.2012.01.012

Breusch, T. S., & Pagan, A. R. (1980). The Lagrange multiplier test and its applications to model specification in econometrics. Review of Economic Studies, 47(1), 239–253. https://doi.org/10.2307/2297111

Caporale, G. M., Rault, C., Sova, A. D., & Sova, R. (2015). Financial development and economic growth: Evidence from 10 New European Union members. International Journal of Finance and Economics, 20(1), 48–60.

Carrión-i-Silvestre, J. L., del Barrio-Castro, T., & López-Bazo, E. (2005). Breaking the panels: An application to the GDP per capita. Econometrics Journal, 8(2), 159–175. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1368-423X.2005.00158.x

Christopoulos, D. K., & Tsionas, E. G. (2004). Financial development and economic growth: Evidence from panel unit root and cointegration tests. Journal of Development Economics, 73(1), 55–74. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jdeveco.2003.03.002

Cristea, M., Marcu, N., & Cârstina, S. (2014). The relationship between insurance and economic growth in Romania compared to the main results in Europe – A theoretical and empirical analysis. Procedia Economics and Finance, 8(14), 226–235. https://doi.org/10.1016/S2212-5671(14)00085-9

Ćurak, M., Lončar, S., & Poposki, K. (2009). Insurance sector development and economic growth in transition countries. International Research Journal of Finance and Economics, 34, 29–41.

Dash, S., Pradhan, R. P., Maradana, R. P., Gaurav, K., Zaki, D. B., & Jayakumar, M. (2018). Insurance market penetration and economic growth in Eurozone countries: Time series evidence on causality. Future Business Journal, 4(1), 50–67. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fbj.2017.11.005

Demirci, Ş. D., & Zeren, F. (2017). Insurance premium and economic growth: Evidence from OECD countries. İşletme Bilimi Dergisi, 5(1), 1–11. https://doi.org/10.22139/jobs.286819

Din, S. M. U., Abu-bakar, A., & Regupathi, A. (2017). Does insurance promotes economic growth: A comparative study of developed and emerging/developing economies. Cogent Economics & Finance, 5(1), 1390029. https://doi.org/10.1080/23322039.2017.1390029

Dumitrescu, E., & Hurlin, C. (2012). Testing for Granger non-causality in heterogeneous panels. Economic Modelling, 29(4), 1450–1460. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.econmod.2012.02.014

Durusu-Ciftci, D., Ispir, M. S., & Yetkiner, H. (2017). Financial development and economic growth: Some theory and more evidence. Journal of Policy Modeling, 39(2), 290–306. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jpolmod.2016.08.001

Guochen, P., & Wei, S. C. (2012, July 18–21). The relationship between insurance development and economic growth: A cross-region study for China [Conference presentation]. 2012 China International Conference on Insurance and Risk Management, Qingdao. http://www.ccirm.org/conference/2012/uploadfiles/A/II-A/4-PANGuochen_Pan_full_text_.pdf

Gurley, J. G. & Shaw, E. S. (1955). Financial aspects of economic development. American Economic Review, 45(4), 515–538. http://www.jstor.org/stable/1811632

Guru, B. K., & Yadav, I. S. (2019). Financial development and economic growth: Panel evidence from BRICS. Journal of Economics, Finance and Administrative Science, 24(47), 113–126. https://doi.org/10.1108/JEFAS-12-2017-0125

Haiss, P., & Sumegi, K. (2008). The relationship between insurance and economic growth: Review and agenda. The IcFai Journal of Risk and Insurance, 5(2), 32–56.

Han, L., Li, D., Moshirian, F., & Tian, Y. (2010). Insurance development and economic growth. Geneva Papers on Risk Insurance – Issues and Practice, 35(2), 183–199. https://doi.org/10.1057/gpp.2010.4

Hicks, J. R. (1969). A theory of economic history. Oxford University Press.

International Association of Insurance Supervisors. (2017). Measuring insurance development: Beyond the insurance penetration rate (Report of the 21st A2ii – IAIS Consultation Call). https://a2ii.org/sites/default/files/reports/21._consultation_call_engl_web_0.pdf

Jayakumar, M., Pradhan, R. P., Dash, S., Maradana, R. P., & Gaurav, K. (2018). Banking competition, banking stability, and economic growth: Are feedback effects at work? Journal of Economics and Business, 96, 15–41. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jeconbus.2017.12.004

Kessler, D., Montchalin, A. de, & Thimann, Ch. (2016). Insurance and economic development: Growth, stabilization and distribution (Paper no. 46). International Labour Organization (ILO). https://www.ilo.org/wcmsp5/groups/public/---ed_emp/documents/publication/wcms_613701.pdf

Kugler, M., & Ofoghi, R. (2005, September 3). Does insurance promote economic growth? Evidence from the UK [Conference presentation]. Money Macro and Finance (MMF) Research Group Conference, Money Macro and Finance Research Group.

Ledhem, M. A., & Mekidiche, M. (2020). Economic growth and financial performance of Islamic banks: A CAMELS approach. Islamic Economic Studies, 28(1), 47–62.

Levine, R., & Zervos, S. (1998). Stock markets, banks, and economic growth. American Economic Review, 88(3), 537–558. https://econpapers.repec.org/article/aeaaecrev/v_3a88_3ay_3a1998_3ai_3a3_3ap_3a537-58.htm

Liang, H.-Y., & Reichert, A. (2006). The relationship between economic growth and banking sector development. Banks and Bank Systems, 2(1), 19–35. https://www.businessperspectives.org/images/pdf/applications/publishing/templates/article/assets/1540/BBS_en_2006_02_Liang.pdf

Liang, H.-Y., & Reichert, A. (2012). The impact of banks and non-bank financial institutions on economic growth. The Service Industries Journal, 32(5), 699–717. https://doi.org/10.1080/02642069.2010.529437

Mmolainyane, K., & Ahmed, A. D. (2015). The impact of financial integration in Botswana. Journal of Policy Modelling, 37(5), 852–874. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jpolmod.2015.03.015

Munich RE. (2018). Insurance market outlook for 2018/2019. https://www.munichre.com/topics-online/en/economy/insurance-markets/outlook-2018-2019.html

Njegomir, V., & Stojić, D. (2010). Does insurance promote economic growth: The evidence from ExYugoslavia region. Ekonomska Misao I Praksa, 1, 31–48. https://hrcak.srce.hr/54655

Outreville, F. J. (2013). The relationship between insurance and economic development: 85 empirical papers for a review of the literature. Risk Management and Insurance Review, 16(1), 71–122. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1540-6296.2012.01219.x

Outreville, J. F. (1990). The economic significance of insurance markets in developing countries. Journal of Risk and Insurance, 57(3), 487–498. https://doi.org/10.2307/252844

Peleckienė, V., Peleckis, K., Dudzevičiūtė, G., & Peleckis, K. K. (2019). The relationship between insurance and economic growth: Evidence from the European Union countries. Economic ResearchEkonomska Istraživanja, 32(1), 1138–1151. https://doi.org/10.1080/1331677X.2019.1588765

Pesaran, M. H. (2004). General diagnostic tests for cross section dependence in panels (Working Paper, CWPE 0435). University of Cambridge.

Pesaran, M. H., & Yamagata, T. (2008). Testing slope homogeneity in large panels. Journal of Econometrics, 142(1), 50–93. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jeconom.2007.05.010

Pesaran, M. H., Ullah, A., & Yamagata, T. (2008). A bias-adjusted LM test of error cross-section independence. Econometrics Journal, 11(1), 105–127. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1368-423X.2007.00227.x

Petros, J. (2012). The effect of the stock exchange on economic growth: A case of the Zimbabwe stock exchange. Research in Business and Economics Journal, 6, 1–17. http://www.aabri.com/manuscripts/111088.pdf

Pradhan, R. P., Arvin, M. B., Hall, J. H., & Nair, M. (2016). Innovation, financial development and economic growth in Eurozone countries. Applied Economics Letters, 23(16), 1141–1144. https://doi.org/10.1080/13504851.2016.1139668

Pradhan, R. P., Dash, S., Jayakumar, M., Maradana, R., Zaki, D., & Chatterjee, D. (2017). Insurance market density and economic growth in Eurozone countries: The granger causality approach. Financial Innovation, 1(3), 1–24. https://doi.org/10.1186/s40854-017-0065-x

Ram, R. (1999). Financial development and economic growth: Additional evidence. Journal of Development Studies, 35(4), 164–174. https://doi.org/10.1080/00220389908422585

Raza, S. A., & Jawaid, S. T. (2014). Foreign capital inflows, economic growth and stock market capitalization in Asian countries: An ARDL bound testing approach. Quality & Quantity, 48(1), 375–385. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11135-012-9774-4

Ricci, O. (2014). Corporate Governance in the European insurance industry. In Roma Tre Business and Finance Collection. Palgrave Macmillan UK. https://doi.org/10.1057/9781137376046

Rioja, F., & Valev, N. (2004). Does one size fit all? A reexamination of the finance and growth relationship. Journal of Development Economics, 74(2), 429–447. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jdeveco.2003.06.006

Schumpeter, J. A. (1911). A theory of economic development. Harvard University Press.

Schumpeter, J. A. (1934). Theorie der Wirtschaftlichen Entwickiung [The theory of economic development] (Redvers Opie, Trans.). Dunker & Humblot (original work published 1912).

Skipper, H. D. (2001). Insurance in the general agreement on trade in services. American Enterprise Institute Press.

Su, C.-W., Chang, H.-L., & Pan, G. (2013). Tests for causality between insurance development and economic growth using asymptotic and panel bootstrap distributions. Economic Computation and Economic Cybernetics Studies and Research, 47(3), 111–131. http://www.ecocyb.ase.ro/nr.3.pdf/Chi-Wei%20Su.pdf

Sulemana, M., & Dramani, J. B. (2020) Effect of financial sector development and institutions on economic growth in SSA. Does the peculiarities of regional blocs matter? Journal of Sustainable Finance & Investment. https://doi.org/10.1080/20430795.2020.1837500

Tongurai, J., & Vithessonthi, C. (2018). The impact of the banking sector on economic structure and growth. International Review of Financial Analysis, 56, 193–207. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.irfa.2018.01.002

Uddin, G. S., Sjö, B., & Shahbaz, M. (2013). The causal nexus between financial development and economic growth in Kenya. Economic Modelling, 35, 701–707. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.econmod.2013.08.031

United Nations. (1964). Proceedings of the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD), Vol. I: Final act and report (p. 55, annex A.IV.23). https://unctad.org/system/files/official-document/econf46d141vol1_en.pdf

United Nations. (2007). Trade and development aspects of insurance services and regulatory frameworks. United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD). https://unctad.org/en/Docs/ditctncd20074_en.pdf

Wanat, S., Papiez, M., & Smiech, S. (2019). Insurance market development and economic growth in transition countries: Some new evidence based on the bootstrap panel granger causality test. Argumenta Oeconomica, 1(42), 213–233. https://doi.org/10.15611/aoe.2019.1.09

Ward, D., & Zurbruegg, R. (2000). Does insurance promote economic growth? Evidence from OECD countries. The Journal of Risk and Insurance, 67(4), 489–506. https://doi.org/10.2307/253847

World Bank. (2019a). GDP growth (annual %). https://data.worldbank.org/indicator/NY.GDP.MKTP.KD.ZG

World Bank. (2019b). Life insurance premium volume to GDP (%) https://www.worldbank.org/en/publication/gfdr/data/global-financial-development-database

World Bank. (2019c). Non-life insurance premium volume to GDP (%). https://www.worldbank.org/en/publication/gfdr/data/global-financial-development-database

Zortuk, M., & Çelik, Y. (2014). The relationship between bank loans and economic growth in Turkey: 1995–2010. Alphanumeric Journal, 2(2), 52–60. https://doi.org/10.17093/aj.2014.2.2.5000084656