The export skill content, learning by exporting and economic growth

We empirically investigate whether countries' export mix influences their economic growth. Using panel data from 86 countries covering the period between 1970 and 1990, we identify a statistically significant positive relationship between export skill content and economic growth. The evidence supports the idea that, after controlling for the levels of GDP per-capita, education, openness to foreign trade, and political and macroeconomic stability, a higher export content of skill-intensive goods generates higher per-capita GDP growth rates. (C) 2004 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.