Convergencia económica en los departamentos de Mendoza

Abstract

This article looks at the evidence of economic convergence across Mendoza departments from 1996 to 2012. The evolution of regional inequality is analyzed through disparity and dispersion indices and growth gaps. No evidence of territorial convergence has been found. The estimated β coefficient is positive and statistically not significant; Williamson’s coefficient, σ convergence and growth gaps show a slight inequality increase, particularly during booms. Similarly, no evidence of a positive relation between agricultural specialization and growth has been found. In fact, our results suggest that the agricultural territories, i. e. , the comparatively less-developed ones, do not exhibit an improvement in their relative position, despite the favorable international context.