The Contribution of ICT to Poverty Reduction: A Panel Data Evidence

This study empirically investigates the relationship between information and communication technologies (ICT) and poverty. The hypothesis that ICT penetration contributes to decrease poverty is tested for the period between 2000 and 2013 by using four ICT indicators, six poverty indicators and a panel data set consisting of 182 countries. Statistically significant correlations between ICT indicators and poverty indicators are identified. Among the ICTs indicators, internet usage is found to have the strongest effect on all poverty indicators. The largest effect of internet penetration among ICT indicators suggest that promoting the diffusion of the internet and expanding an access to the internet are very important to fight against poverty and reduce income inequality besides its other effects pointed out in the literature.

Anahtar Kelimeler:

Poverty, Information and Communication Technologies, Internet, Panel Study

The Contribution of ICT to Poverty Reduction: A Panel Data Evidence

This study empirically investigates the relationship between information and communication technologies (ICT) and poverty. The hypothesis that ICT penetration contributes to decrease poverty is tested for the period between 2000 and 2013 by using four ICT indicators, six poverty indicators and a panel data set consisting of 182 countries. Statistically significant correlations between ICT indicators and poverty indicators are identified. Among the ICTs indicators, internet usage is found to have the strongest effect on all poverty indicators. The largest effect of internet penetration among ICT indicators suggest that promoting the diffusion of the internet and expanding an access to the internet are very important to fight against poverty and reduceincome inequality besides its other effects pointed out in the literature.

Keywords:

Poverty, Information and Communication Technologies, Internet, Panel Study,

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