Economic Output Research Articles

Stigma related to podoconiosis in Ethiopia: a systematic review

BackgroundPodoconiosis, one of the neglected tropical diseases (NTDs), affects barefoot people in impoverished regions and contributes to poverty by having negative impacts on economic output, education, and disability. Podoconiosis has enormous social, psychological, and economic implications for the affected individuals. Social stigmatization of people with the disease is widespread, and patients are restricted from schools, local meetings, mosques, and churches and not allowed to marry into unaffected families. Therefore, this study aimed to systematically review the stigma related to podoconiosis in Ethiopia.MethodsThe Preferred Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analysis (PRISMA-2020) guidelines were followed. PubMed/Medline, Scopus, Web of Science, Google Scholar, and Google databases were searched. Articles published in the English language from inception to 2023 were included. Data were extracted by using a pre-prepared Excel sheet, and a narrative synthesis of the findings was done. This review was registered in the PROSPERO International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews with registration number CRD42024510091.ResultsA total of 19 studies were included in this systematic review. This systematic review identified different types of stigmas reported from individuals with podoconiosis. The types of stigmas identified were enacted, felt, and internalized stigma and social stigmas, including exclusion from different social occurrences such as idir, meetings, funerals, and churches/mosques. Stigma also prevented patients with podoconiosis from visiting health institutions for the treatment of the disease and using health services for other cases.ConclusionsStigma among podoconiosis patients is widely distributed in Ethiopia. Different types of stigmas were identified among the patients. Extensive work needs to be done to prevent the disease and stigma. Strengthening works on community awareness about the disease help to ensure that it does not get transmitted from affected individuals to others.Systematic review registrationPROSPERO, identifier CRD42024510091.

Green Transformation of Industrial Structure of Jiaxing City Driven by Synergizing the Reduction of Pollution and Carbon Emissions

The "Implementation Plan for Reduction of Pollution and Carbon Emissions" emphasizes the need to explore mechanisms for pollution and carbon emission reductions, strengthen efforts for synergistic reduction, and accelerate the green and low-carbon development in different types of cities. Thus, this study established a multi-objective optimization model for the industrial structure of the city based on green total factor productivity （GTFP）, which was applied to Jiaxing, an emerging coastal city. The results indicated an overall 8% increase in GTFP across various industries in Jiaxing from 2016 to 2019. The top three economic sectors - chemical products； electricity and thermal production and supply； and communication equipment, computers, and other electronic devices-ranked 12th, 15th, and 5th in GTFP, respectively. Conversely, industries with the top three GTFP rankings-other manufacturing products, specialized equipment, food, and tobacco-ranked 19th, 12th, and 14th in GDP, respectively. Given the mismatch between economic output and environmental benefits among different industries, deepening industrial structure adjustment and promoting synergistic pollution reduction and carbon reduction are imperative. The chemical industry （decreasing by 2%） and the electricity and thermal production and supply industry （decreasing by 1%） crucially need industrial transformation. This can be achieved by setting higher environmental thresholds, reducing the growth rate of fixed asset investment, and curbing the final consumption of these industries to enhance the efficiency of existing facilities. Meanwhile, the service industry （increasing by 5%） should be rapidly developed, while other industries can continue to grow at their current pace. The city-level industrial structure optimization model established in this study can effectively support future decision-making for the dual control of total carbon emissions and intensity, foster new-quality productivity, and promote carbon peaking and green low-carbon high-quality development in different cities.

Optimizing a Sustainable Power System with Green Hydrogen Energy Storage for Telecommunication Station Loads

Telecommunication stations situated in rural areas often rely on diesel generators as their primary energy source to meet electricity demand, given the absence of a power grid. However, this heavy dependence on diesel generators leads to escalated operational and maintenance expenses, while exacerbating global warming through greenhouse gas emissions. This paper proposes a shift towards a 100% hybrid renewable energy system integrated with hydrogen energy storage as a sustainable alternative. The proposed system incorporates photovoltaic (PV) panels, wind turbines, an electrolyzer, a fuel cell, a hydrogen tank, and a converter. Using HOMER Pro software, the optimal sizing of the system was determined, resulting in a configuration with 12.3 kW PV capacity, two 10 kW wind turbines, a 10kW fuel cell, a 20 kW electrolyzer, a 5 kg hydrogen tank, and a 17.3 kW converter. This configuration achieved a net present cost (NPC) of $155,705 and a cost of energy (COE) of $0.388/kWh, offering substantial cost-effectiveness. Compared to the base case relying solely on diesel generators, the system could avoid approximately 31,081 kg of CO₂ emissions annually. Finally, a sensitivity analysis was conducted to assess the impact of meteorological variations on the system’s economic outputs. The findings of this comprehensive study demonstrate the proposed hybrid system's feasibility in terms of both environmental sustainability and economic viability, presenting a sustainable alternative for off-grid telecommunication stations.

A Study On The Pattern And Distribution of Skull Fractures In Fatal Road Traffic Accidents

Introduction: Road traffic accidents (RTA's) are a leading cause of mortality and a serious injury world wide, with skull fractures frequently emerging as a significant consequence of such incidents. The pattern and distribution of skull fractures can provide valuable insights into the mechanisms of injury and the severity of accidents. Understanding these patterns is crucila for improving both preventive measures and clinical responses. Materials and methods:This is aretrospective cross-sectional study of one year duration.All the cases of road traffic accident deaths with skull fractires were included in the study. A total of 342 cases of death due to fatal RTA were present and 140 cases had skull fractures. Results: The commonest site of fracture was the vault, observed in 64.28% of the cases. In fractures involving single bone of vault, frontal bone fractures were seen in the highest number of cases, in 29 cases(32.22%). The MCF was the most commonly involved area in the base of the skull fractures, observed in 7.14% of the cases. Conclusion: A substantial amount of financial burden is produced on the family of the deceased, on the health care system and as well as on the economic output of the country. Therefore, measures should be sought to reduce the RTA's as a number of positive and correct interventions can bring down their number.

Examining the Impact of Tungsten Production on China’s Economic Growth: Evidence for the Resource Curse Hypothesis

This study investigates the potential impact of China’s dominant position in global tungsten production on its national economic growth, examining the applicability of the resource curse hypothesis. While prior research has extensively explored the resource curse in relation to oil and other resources, the role of tungsten remains largely unexplored. Utilizing annual data from 1994 to 2022, this study employs an autoregressive distributed lag (ARDL) bounds testing approach to analyze the long-run relationship between per capita income from tungsten production and per capita GDP. The results reveal a significant negative relationship, suggesting that the increased income from tungsten production may be associated with a decline in overall economic output, supporting the resource curse hypothesis. The study contributes to the growing body of the literature on the resource curse by investigating the unique case of tungsten and highlighting the importance of sustainable resource management, diversification, and effective governance in maximizing economic benefits while mitigating potential downsides.

Dampak Target Konsumsi Listrik Nasional Terhadap Perekonomian di Provinsi Papua: Pendekatan Analisis Tabel Input-Output

The study focuses on Papua Province, which has the lowest electrification rate in Indonesia. It aims to analyze the potential of the electricity and gas procurement sector in 2022 and the impact of economic acceleration policies through increased per capita electricity consumption. The data used are from the 2016 Papua input-output table by BPS Statistics Indonesia, updated using the RAS method. The analysis shows that the electricity and gas procurement sector plays a crucial role in sustainable economic growth, significantly contributing to economic output, and showing high sensitivity to changes in other sectors. Simulations of increased per capita electricity consumption indicate substantial output growth in the electricity and gas sector, as well as positive impacts on other sectors. Therefore, investments and policies supporting electricity infrastructure development are essential to maximize Papua's economic potential and improve welfare. This study guides policymakers and stakeholders in designing sustainable development strategies for Papua Province.

Wings of progress: The economic and social impacts of low-cost carriers in the Philippines

Low-cost carriers (LCCs) have become a significant force in the Philippine aviation industry, providing affordable air travel and contributing to regional economic and social development. However, the full extent of their economic, social, environmental, and infrastructural impacts has not been comprehensively studied. This study aims to evaluate the economic and social implications of LCCs in the Philippines, focusing on tourism growth, job creation, business development, and the accessibility and mobility of the population. The study also explores environmental challenges and infrastructural strains caused by the expansion of LCC operations. A mixed-methods approach was employed, incorporating quantitative data analysis of tourism statistics, employment rates, business growth, and regional economic output. Qualitative data were collected through interviews and surveys with stakeholders, including passengers, local businesses, government officials, and environmental agencies. Statistical tools such as regression analysis and chi-square tests were used to determine significance levels in the findings. The results demonstrate that LCCs have contributed significantly to regional economic growth, with a 25% increase in tourist arrivals and a 30% rise in tourism revenue. Social impacts include enhanced travel accessibility, increased cultural exchange, and improved quality of life. However, environmental challenges, such as a 15% increase in carbon emissions, highlight the need for sustainable practices. The study recommends further investment in airport infrastructure, implementation of sustainable aviation practices, and ongoing government support for regional tourism. Future studies should focus on long-term environmental impacts and strategies for reducing carbon footprints.

Economics, happiness and climate change: exploring new measures of progress

AbstractThis research explores the relationship between environmental sustainability, well-being, and economic output, specifically critiquing the predominant reliance on GDP as the main progress indicator. The study selects variables such as GDP, well-being metrics, and environmental indicators based on their critical roles in reflecting both economic performance and its broader impact on societal and planetary health. By evaluating prominent indexes such as the Human Development Index (HDI), Planetary pressures–adjusted Human Development Index (PHDI), the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) Index and the Happy Planet Index (HPI), this paper highlights the limitations of GDP and the need for a multi-dimensional measure that accounts for the well-being of people and the planet. The findings suggest a positive correlation between GDP and certain environmental degradation metrics, reinforcing the need for sustainable economic models. Drawing from both quantitative and qualitative insights, we advocate for a paradigm shift towards a “happy economy”, and suggest that policymakers should consider integrating environmental and social well-being indicators into the System of National Accounts, and adjust fiscal policies and investment strategies to promote sustainable practices that reduce ecological footprints while enhancing quality of life.

Contribution of Beekeeping for Job Creation and Poverty Alleviation in Ethiopia

The production of foodstuffs, the care of animals, agricultural products, and the preservation of natural resources may all be combined with beekeeping, an environmentally friendly activity. It's easy to integrate with other everyday tasks because it isn't a labor-intensive activity. Given the current state of the economy, it is improbable that farmers did not set aside land for the cultivation of bee flora and/or beekeeping. Following technological intervention in the watershed, the main crops planted there were maize (24.6%), teff (21%), wheat (15.1%), potatoes (20%), and beekeeping (19.8%). These contributed significantly to the watershed's overall economic output. The survey results also showed some of the benefits that the beekeeping industry has to offer, including increased income, better access to nutritional values (honey consumption by family members directly leads to improved feeding habits), improved access to livestock development (buying cows and oxen), ability to pay off debt and save money, purchase of household goods, construction of houses in towns, and similar benefits. All of these show that beekeeping is helping farmers support their way of life. Therefore, the government should support policies that encourage self-employment opportunities in off-farm activities like beekeeping, value chain development, agricultural service provision, and agribusiness activities in order to increase beekeeping productivity and reduce poverty and create jobs. However, it is believed that one million farm households utilize traditional, intermediate, and contemporary hive production methods in their beekeeping businesses. In Ethiopia there are two harvesting seasons for beeswax and honey from October to November and from April to June based on the presence of flowering crops and the potential flowering ability of Eucalyptus tree, respectively. A significant amount of honey is sold in Ethiopia to generate revenue in domestic and export markets.

Feminist Economics : A General Review

Feminist economics is a heterodox approach that challenges traditional economic theories by emphasizing gender inequalities and advocating for more inclusive analyses. This interdisciplinary field critiques the exclusion of non-market activities, such as childcare and domestic work, from conventional economic models. It argues that the omission of these activities results in substantial gender bias. Feminist economics has introduced new perspectives on economic success through the capability approach developed by Amartya Sen and Martha Nussbaum. This approach focuses on individuals' potential to achieve well-being and justice rather than merely economic output like GDP or income. Key concepts within feminist economics include household bargaining, measurement of unpaid work, and advocating for policies that support gender equality and social justice. The field also employs interdisciplinary data collection methods, such as time-use surveys and qualitative interviews, to gather more accurate data on non-market activities and their economic value. This study offers an exploration of the fundamental concept, theoretical and historical framework of feminist economics. It will also highlight the political implications of the field, examine its global influence, and explore its connections to other related fields. Additionally, the study will analyze future of feminist economics.

Feminist urban futures: Envisioning the future of Ukrainian cities through the lens of the displaced community in Valencia (Spain)

Amidst the context of the ongoing war, Ukraine faces the challenge of reconstruction. Similarly to other post-disaster and post-conflict contexts, the recovery efforts are being guided by the principles of “Build Back Better” (BBB). While these principles can be interpreted as embracing the ideals of sustainability, the challenge lies in how "better" is defined, particularly when the concept is generally interpreted through a lens that prioritizes top-down planning with a focus on infrastructure and economic outputs. The concept of “better” needs to be rethought, particularly from the perspective of the affected populations. However, the viewpoints and experiences of internationally displaced Ukrainians are notably absent from these discussions.This research proposes a participatory approach to envisioning urban recovery from displacement, centring on the experiences of displaced Ukrainians residing in Valencia, Spain. By working with this community, the study aims to redefine “better” in the context of urban recovery in Ukraine. Drawing on feminist urbanism, critical development perspectives and futures studies, the study investigates the intersectional oppressions and insights of displaced individuals, through workshops, interviews, and photovoice methodologies.The findings highlight a collective vision that prioritizes emotional resilience, social cohesion and care, with participants prioritizing community-oriented green spaces, inclusive public services, and sustainable mobility. These insights challenge conventional interpretations of BBB in traditional recovery models, which often focus on measurable economic outcomes and risk-perpetuating "destructive reconstruction". Instead, this research advocates for a more inclusive, sustainable, and socially just recovery process that honours the diverse needs and aspirations of everyone, including those displaced abroad.

Derivative Markets and Economic Growth: A South African Perspective

It is well established that financial development and innovation promote economic growth through improving the allocation of capital, enhancing risk management, contributing to price discovery, and increasing market efficiencies. While a vast empirical literature is devoted to the nexus between financial development and economic growth, however, substantially less research has been done on the relationship between derivatives and growth, especially in the emerging-market context. Derivatives can be viewed as a specific category of financial innovation, which may advance economic growth through its specialised functions of risk management and price discovery. This paper contributes to bridging this gap in the literature by exploring the impact of exchange-traded futures derivatives on South African economic growth, output, and economic growth volatility. It employs ARDL bounds tests, Granger causality tests and GARCH volatility modeling to analyse the effects of exchange-traded futures derivatives on various measures of South African economic activity. The main result is that exchange-traded futures derivatives contribute positively to South African economic growth and economic activity. This may suggest that opportunities might exist in other emerging economies, with financial structures comparable to that of South Africa, to encourage the development of organised and well-regulated derivatives markets to unlock economic growth in these economies.

Mechanism of Population Outflow and Ecological Pressure Reflux in China’s Pastoral Area: S-C Gacha’s Case

In China’s rural areas, as populations flow into cities, dependence on land has significantly decreased, leading to widespread land abandonment; however, the relationship between population and land in pastoral areas differs. This study conducted a five-year tracking survey on Sunite Right Banner in Xilingol League (Inner Mongolia), where macro data and in-depth home interviews were used for the mechanisms’ analysis. The findings demonstrate that the pastoral regions’ ecological pressure has increased with population immigration. There are several factors influencing such interaction between people and rangeland: First is the cost mechanism. The increasing cost of livestock production leads herders to increase their reliance on grazing rental systems to increase the number of livestock. The grazing rental system generates income for those migrating to adjacent urban regions. Second is the institutional mechanism. The “three-separating property right systems”, a recent rural land institutional reform policy, has marketized rural individualized rangelands, leading herders to focus more on the exchange value of rangelands rather than the use value, including ecological functions. Consequently, both lessors and lessees engage in high-intensity utilization of their individualized grazing lands. Third is the natural mechanism. Climate fluctuations influence herders’ migration patterns, prompting them to leave and return to grazing lands. These ecological dynamics force herders to oscillate between survival and development, intensifying pressure on the grasslands during favorable years and preventing them from recovering while increasing the occurrence of poor years, such as droughts. Fourth is the consumption mechanism. Herders who have migrated to urban regions must continue relying on rangeland resources to sustain their livelihoods. However, lower economic outputs of livestock production hardly catch up with the higher consumption levels in urban regions, which leads migrated herders to increase their pressure on rural rangelands. The final factor is a combination of the previous four mechanisms. The interplay between these previously mentioned four mechanisms encouraged higher herder population outflow, though their reliance on rangeland resources has continued. Based on the results, we argue that these dynamic relations between rural population change and land use patterns are becoming common issues across pastoral regions in Inner Mongolia, demanding innovative solutions.

Investigating the non-equilibrium in territorial space utilization benefits of urban agglomerations under new urbanization: A case study of the Pearl River Delta of China

The National Development and Reform Commission’s 14th 5-year Plan for New Urbanization aims to enhance the integrated development of urban agglomerations and promote coordinated growth among large, medium, and small cities to improve the comprehensive development capacity of urban agglomerations. This study examines the systemic coupling and coordination of land use benefits and the concept of balanced territorial space utilization. A comprehensive evaluation index system is constructed, employing the coupling coordination degree model and the land development imbalance index model to assess both the comprehensive benefits of land use and the balance of land development in the nine cities of the Pearl River Delta urban agglomeration in 2019. The findings are as follows: (i) Shenzhen has the largest territorial space development scale, with minor differences indicating balanced development; (ii) the territorial space development scale and urban economic benefits in the Pearl River Delta urban agglomeration are generally in a coordinated development stage. While Guangzhou and Shenzhen exhibit lagging input, the other cities demonstrate lagging output; and (iii) there is an extreme imbalance in territorial space development. Based on these findings, the study recommends the following: (i) maintain coordinated development between territorial space development scale and urban economic benefits by adjusting inputs and outputs across different cities to control land development intensity and enhance the economic output of land; and (ii) for cities facing overdevelopment, prioritize improving urban land supply capacity, control the expansion of construction land, and explore the redevelopment of existing land; for cities facing underdevelopment, provide preferential access to construction land quotas to support efficient land development.

An integrative study on the green cultural industry and its determinants in Jiangsu province, China under the cultural revitalization initiative: a global perspective.

The cultural industry is pivotal in promoting sustainable economic development. This study aims to evaluate the economic efficiency of the cultural industry in Jiangsu Province by establishing a Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA) model and analyzing influencing factors using the Tobit model, all within the broader context of China's cultural industry. A DEA model was developed to assess the economic efficiency of the cultural industry across Chinese provinces, allowing for a comparative analysis of performance. The Tobit regression model was utilized to investigate factors influencing these efficiency outcomes, with a particular emphasis on inter-provincial comparisons to understand the position and challenges faced by Jiangsu's cultural industry. Despite Jiangsu's cultural industry ranking among the largest in scale nationally, its economic efficiency is only moderate, consistently experiencing diminishing returns to scale. The study identifies low scale efficiency, small enterprise size, and suboptimal urbanization processes within the province as the main issues. The inefficiencies highlighted by the DEA model suggest a misalignment between the scale of operations and the economic outputs in Jiangsu's cultural industry. Urbanization emerges as a crucial factor, with current practices not sufficiently supporting the growth potential of the cultural sector. Based on these findings, the study proposes targeted policy recommendations for Jiangsu, including avoiding blind scale expansion, adjusting industrial structures, encouraging enterprise consolidation and optimization, and identifying new growth areas to better support the cultural industry's development and contribute to sustainable economic progress.

Land rights, resource allocation and urban settlement choices of migrant workers in Yunnan, Western China

Using the cross-sectional data from the 2015 and 2021 Yunnan Migrant Workers Urban Integration Survey, this study assesses the different effects of the three types of land rights that migrant workers possess in their rural hometowns on their urban settlement choices in Yunnan, western China. Specifically, it examined the existence of migrant workers moving between urban and rural areas in response to the importance of land rights for rural migrant workers, in western China, a region with the lower level of economic development and fastest growing number of migrant workers in China. After controlling for the impact of other variables, the multinomial Probit model was used to estimate the impact of the migrant workers' land rights in their rural hometowns on their settlement choices in urban areas. We found that rural land rights significantly increased migrant workers' willingness to return to their hometowns. This indicates that land right security is a key factor affecting Yunnan migrant workers' urban settlement intentions, although it is conditional in terms of age groups and places of origin. Importantly, we found that migrant workers in western China are more inclined to keep their dual identities as both urban migrant workers and rural residents. They, hence, are more inclined to rationally allocate their resources between urban and rural areas to maximize their economic outputs. Particularly, they prefer to only working - rather than settling - in urban areas, while retaining their rural land as assets and income sources. Instead of settling in either urban or rural areas, the older migrant workers who migrate to smaller and economically underdeveloped cities are more inclined to drift between urban and rural areas without permanent settlement. This confirms the argument of livelihood resource maximization and migratory bird-type migration as important mechanisms via which land right ownership affects migrant workers’ urban settlement intentions. This study suggests that policymakers should consider the land rights of rural migrant workers when making urban settlement policies, especially for small and medium-sized cities, where migrant settlement intention is weaker. Policymakers should also promote the flexibility of rural land use rights transfer and explore reforms concerning the separation of the three types of land rights to achieve a balance between urbanization and land use efficiency, particularly in small and medium-sized cities.

Carbon Emission for China's Iron and Steel Industry： Peak Scenarios and Neutralization Pathways

To explore the future carbon emission peak scenarios of China's iron and steel industry as well as the effective pathways for carbon emission neutrality, the generalized Divisia index method （GDIM） was first used to analyze the influencing factors of carbon emission changes from 2001 to 2020, and then Monte Carlo simulation was used to conduct a dynamic scenario simulation of the carbon emission evolution trends from 2021 to 2035. The results showed that： ① Economic output and crude steel production were the most important factors contributing to the increase in carbon emission in the iron and steel industry； among the factors contributing to the decrease, the carbon intensity of economic output had the most significant effect, followed by the carbon intensity of production, and the energy consumption per ton of steel and the energy output rate did not have a significant effect on the decrease in carbon emissions. ② Under the scenario BAU, scenario L, and scenario S, the iron and steel industry could achieve carbon emission peaking in 2030, 2025, and 2020, respectively.

Emergy-based evaluation of production efficiency and sustainability of diversified multi-cropping systems in the Yangtze River Basin.

Excessive agricultural investment brought about by increased multiple-cropping index may compromise environmental sustainability. There are few studies on the sustainability of diversified multi-cropping systems in the Yangtze River Basin (YRB). Therefore, this study selected five representative locations in the YRB. According to the local climate characteristics and food demand, diversified multi-cropping systems were designed, and the main local winter crops were selected as the previous crops of the corn-soybean strip compound cropping system, with the local traditional double-cropping model as the control (CK). The emergy evaluation method was introduced to quantitatively compare the efficiency and sustainability of diversified multi-cropping systems in the YRB. The results showed that by incorporating soybean by intercropping with corn, compared with the CK, the total energy input, annual energy output, and annual economic output increased by 15.80%, 9.78%, and 33.12% on average, respectively. The unit emergy value (UEV) and unit non-renewable value (UNV) increased by 6.03% and 5.98%, respectively; the emergy yield ratio (EYR) and environmental loading ratio (ELR) decreased by 0.91% and 0.44%, respectively; the emergy sustainability index (ESI) was the same. In the third mature crop selection, compared with that of corn, the ELR of soybean decreased by 14.32%, and the ESI increased by 18.55%. In addition, the choice of winter crops plays a vital role in the system's efficiency and sustainability. Compared with those of other winter crops, the annual economic outputs of potato (upper reaches of the YRB), potato or forage rape (middle reaches of the YRB), and wheat (lower reaches of the YRB) increased by 51.02%, 32.27%, and 0.94%, respectively; their ESI increased by 71.21%, 47.72%, and 12.07%, respectively. Potato-corn/soybean or potato/corn/soybean (upper reaches of the YRB), forage rape-corn/soybean or potato/corn/soybean (middle reaches of the YRB), and wheat-corn/soybean (lower reaches of the YRB) were chosen to facilitate the coexistence of high economic benefits and environmental sustainability. Additionally, promoting mechanization and reducing labor input were essential to improve the efficiency and sustainability of multi-cropping systems. This study would provide a scientific basis and theoretical support for the development of efficient and sustainable multiple-cropping systems in the dryland of the YRB.

Inter-city firm connections and the scaling of urban economic indicators.

Cities exhibit consistent returns to scale in economic outputs, and urban scaling analysis is widely adopted to uncover common mechanisms in cities' socioeconomic productivity. Leading theories view cities as closed systems, with returns to scale arising from intra-city social interactions. Here, we argue that the interactions between cities, particularly via shared organizations such as firms, significantly influence a city's economic output. By examining global data on city connectivity through multinational firms alongside urban scaling Gross Domestic Product (GDP) statistics from the United States, EU, and China, we establish that global connectivity notably enhances GDP, while controlling for population. After accounting for global connectivity, the effect of population on GDP is no longer distinguishable from linear. To differentiate between local and global mechanisms, we analyzed homicide case data, anticipating dominant local effects. As expected, inter-city connectivity showed no significant impact. Our research highlights that inter-city effects affect some urban outputs more than others. This empirical analysis lays the groundwork for incorporating inter-city organizational connections into urban scaling theories and could inform future model development.

Interrelationship between Migration, Employment and Economic Growth in the United States: A Dynamic Analysis from 1990 to 2022

The study aims to explore the intricate relationships between migration flows, employment dynamics, and economic growth in the United States from 1990 to 2022. Specifically, it assesses the impact of refugee admissions and legal permanent residents on GDP and GDP per capita in both the short and long term. A comprehensive econometric approach was employed, including correlation analysis, regression modeling, and dynamic trend evaluation. The study tested three hypotheses concerning the effects of employment growth on GDP, the distinct impacts of different migration flows, and the influence of these factors on employment rates. The study utilizes data from Statista for employment and migration figures, and GDP data from the World Bank. The analysis revealed a significant negative correlation between employment rates and GDP (r = - 0.701, p < 0.001) and GDP per capita (r = - 0.686, p < 0.001), indicating that declining employment rates are associated with increased economic output. Employment growth, counterintuitively, correlates negatively with GDP, suggesting that other factors such as productivity and technological advancements offset labor market contractions. Key results highlight the differentiated economic contributions of various migrant categories and their implications for policy. The findings underscore the complex and multifaceted nature of migration’s impact on the U.S. economy. While migration generally contributes positively in the long term, short-term challenges, particularly from refugee admissions, can strain economic resources. The study highlights the need for tailored economic and integration policies to maximize the benefits of migration while mitigating its challenges.