The Impact of Transportation Infrastructure on Inclusive Growth: A Cross-National Analysis of Developed and Developing Countries

This study employs panel data from 20 countries with relatively strong comprehensive transportation infrastructure capabilities over the period of 2010–2021 to investigate the impact of transportation infrastructure on inclusive growth and to analyze the heterogeneity between developed and developing countries. A panel data fixed-effects model is constructed, with the Inequality-adjusted Human Development Index (IHDI) serving as a proxy for inclusive growth, and transportation infrastructure measured by variables such as railway passenger carried, air passenger carried, and container port traffic. GDP per capita is introduced as a control variable. Findings highlight substantial heterogeneity across transport subsectors and development contexts: rail transport significantly promotes inclusive growth, air passenger transport shows no significant effect, while air freight has opposite impacts—positive in developing countries but negative in developed ones. Port infrastructure benefits inclusive growth only in developed countries. This study underscores the importance of transport subsector differentiation and contextual analysis, contributing to the theoretical advancement of inclusive infrastructure research. JEL Classification: A12·B23·C33·H54·L91