The Economic Impact of Internet Connectivity in Developing Countries
This study provides an overview of existing evidence on the extent to which, and how, internet connectivity affects economic development
Abstract
Firms, workers, and consumers in developing countries are increasingly connected to each other and the rest of the world through the internet. Can this connectivity transform poor economies, as techno-optimists hope, or are there more deeply rooted barriers to economic development? Research on the topic is growing rapidly. In this article we provide an overview of existing evidence on the extent to which, and how, internet connectivity affects economic development. Not surprisingly, estimates vary widely with the context, particular outcome, and form of internet studied. Overall the literature points towards sizeable economic impacts in many—though not all—settings.
This work is part of the Private Enterprise Development in Low Income Countries (PEDL) programme
Citation
Hjort, J. and Tian, L. (2021) “The Economic Impact of Internet Connectivity in Developing Countries”, PEDL Synthesis Paper Series, No. 6
Link
The Economic Impact of Internet Connectivity in Developing Countries