The macroeconomic impact of development aid: A critical survey

Abstract

The early literature explained aid's macroeconomic impact in the context of the dual gap model, showing a clear link between aid and growth. Many now believe that the empirical evidence shows there to be no such relationship. This paper critically reviews the different theoretical perspectives ‐the dual gap model, the savings debate, recipient fiscal response, and aid as Dutch disease — and the empirical debates on aid, savings and growth. The basis for denying a relationship between aid and growth is shown to be weak, though more recent areas of research offer promising directions for future work.