Does economic globalisation promote economic growth? A meta‐analysis

Abstract A large volume of econometric literature has studied the effects of economic globalisation on economic growth around the world. Reported results, however, vary considerably, which makes it difficult to draw valid conclusions. This paper applies meta‐analysis and meta‐regression methods to a novel dataset consisting of 5542 estimates on globalisation–growth effects reported in 516 primary studies. We find evidence for publication selection bias in favour of positive growth effects of globalisation. After correcting for this bias, the size of the effect of economic globalisation on output growth is more than halved, but it remains positive. The growth‐promoting effect, however, is due to trade globalisation, as we cannot reject the hypothesis that the impact of financial globalisation on growth is, on average, zero. The meta‐regression results also reveal that the growth effects of economic globalisation have varied over time, and that education and institutions serve as significant moderator variables.