Convergencia económica Regional 7, caso de las provincias de El Oro, Loja y Zamora Chinchipe del Ecuador. Periodo 2007 2020

Abstract

Abstract: This analysis examines regional economic convergence in the provinces of El Oro, Zamora Chinchipe, and Loja, which belong to Region 7 of Ecuador, during the period 2007 2020. Two approaches are used: simple and conditional β convergence, and σ convergence. Provincial per capita Gross Value Added (GVA) was calculated using data from the National Institute of Statistics and Census (INEC) and the Central Bank of Ecuador (BCE), applying econometric data models to examine regional growth. The results show that simple β convergence is weak and not very significant, suggesting a limited tendency for provinces with lower initial incomes to grow faster. In contrast, conditional β convergence has greater explanatory power, although it is affected by high multicollinearity, indicating that the productive structure has a significant impact on growth. For its part, the convergence σ does not show statistically robust results; since the dispersion of per capita income was influenced by events such as the fall in oil prices and the COVID-19 crisis. Overall, a partial and heterogeneous convergence is observed.