The Effect of Human Development Index on Iranian GDP

According to the new growth theories, human capital is considered as one of the main variables affecting growth and development. Therefore, with providing and creation of appropriate context for it, we will see an increase in the production and development of GDP. Human development index can have a significant contribution to economic development with considering the fundamental factors such as health, education and labor income that have been mentioned as parts of growth software in some text. The aim of this paper is to investigate the effect of human development index on Iranian GDP over the period of 1971-2011. This study aims to answer the question that what is the equilibrium relationship (long run and short run) within these variables. To do so, firstly the effects of human development index on the GDP were tested by using ARDL. Then, to determine the exact effects, the impact of components of human development index on GDP were tested. The results showed that in the short-run human development effect on GDP was small and insignificant. But, this effect is stronger in the long run. The second model results showed that the impact of each component of human development in the long run is stronger in comparison to the short run.