The Determinants of Economic Growth: Empirical Study of 10 Asia-Pacific Countries

The purpose of this research to examine influence several independent variables, especially corruption, foreign direct investment (FDI), population growth, and government expenditure on the economic growth of 10 Asia-Pacific countries, and prove the hypothesis of the sand wheels theory whether corruption causes a decline and a slowdown in economic growth. This study uses panel data. The results showed that the variables of corruption have a negative impact on economic growth, foreign direct investment (FDI), and government expenditure have positives that significantly affect the level of economic growth in 10 Asia-Pacific countries. However, population growth does not significantly affect economic growth. The result implies that corruption has a negative effect on economic growth in 10 Asia-Pacific countries. Such an outcome provides evidence and confirms the hypothesis that corruption can sand the wheel of an economy. Countries must eradicate all forms of corruption and maintain a conducive investment climate so that there is a level of trust, especially in the Asia-Pacific countries, to create productive economic growth