Impact of Population Growth, Poverty and Unemployment on Economic Growth

Abstract

This research explores the impact of population growth, poverty and unemployment on economic growth in Nigeria using Auto Regressive Distributed Lag (ARDL). The study employed an econometric procedure; unit root test which involved the use of Augmented Dickey Fuller test (ADF) and Phillip-Perron test (PP). The cointegration test technique used in the study is Auto Regressive and Distributed Lag (ARDL). The study variables are real GDP, population, poverty, unemployment and foreign direct investment has control variable. The null hypothesis stated that there is presence of a unit root was failed to be rejected at levels but rejected at first difference according to the two tests (ADP and PP) employed. The study found that some of the variables are stationary at level I(0) while others are stationary at first difference I(1).The results of the cointegration test showed that there exist cointegrating equation between explanatory variables and economic growth. The ECT speed of adjustment to the normal equilibrium confirms their long run relationship of the variables. Finally, the study found that population and FDI have a positive impact while poverty and unemployment has negative impact on GDP. Based on these findings recommend that policy makers should grow the real economic sectors to improve and enhance productivity, exports, job creation, curb inflation and reduce poverty and rapid economic growth and substitute the non-productive imports with domestic products and develop enabling environment to attract foreign private investors.