Non-linear Relationship between Income and Energy Intensity in Selected Countries of MENA Region with an Emphasis on the Role of Financial Development and Openness

This paper investigates the effects of income per capita, financial development and openness on energy intensity for MENA selected countries for the period of 1980 - 2011 applying the panel smooth transition regression model. The linearity test results indicate strongly nonlinear relationship among variables under consideration. The optimum nonlinear model includes one transition function and one threshold parameter that represents a two-regime model. The results from the PSTR model indicated that the slope parameter of the transition function is equal to 19.99 and the location of regime switching is 9254.8 dollars. Also, the estimated coefficients of the variables in both regimes indicated that per capita income leads to an increase in the energy intensity. Openness in the second regime leads to a decrease, and financial development leads to a rise in energy intensity.