The Growth Dynamism in the Islamic Countries

This paper has examined the phenomenon of convergence of per capita out put levels across the IC countries for the ۱۹۶۰-۱۹۹۸ periods. Three concepts of convergence, i.e., sigma beta and relative beta, have been used. The estimated beta values reveals only a very weak convergence (?=.۰۰۱۴) across IC for ۱۹۶۰-۱۹۹۸ period. But when a more homogeneous group of countries were selected, the results somehow improved the estimated beta value for PECs ? was .۰۰۵.  The sigma values reveal that the per capita out-put decreases across IC had an increasing trend over the ۱۹۵۰-۱۹۹۸ periods. It means that the poorer members did not demonstrate strong output convergence for the full or part of the period. For SAARC the output variation revealed a diminishing trend, but for the OPEC countries it showed an increasing trend. The results of relative convergence (toward the countries steady state position) reveal that only for ۱۵ countries the convergence hypothesis is confirmed. The average speed of convergence was .۳۳. The results provide a weak evidence of convergence across the IC, it means more attempt in various fields of cooperation: political, economic, cultural, social and scientific, is required to meet the OIC goals.

Keywords:

Growth Dynamism , Islamic Countries , convergence , Per capita Output