This study focuses on whether information and communication technology (ICT) contributes to economic growth in countries with better human development index as compared to those with a lower index. The study uses panel data estimation methods those are robust to dependencies across countries and heterogeneity from 1990 to 2016 in developing Asian countries. The results documented that countries with better human development index and mobile phone usage promote economic growth, whereas Internet users do not seem to do so. Despite that, human development index itself is a critical factor that contributes to economic growth in Asian countries. Finally, both mobile phone usages contribute to economic growth, but Internet usage does not seem to do. These new findings recommend that whereas better human development is regarded as crucial for mobile phone usage, it appears to be inappropriate for Internet usage. An additional feature is that the study uses the most robust panel data estimation method that produces more effective and reliable estimates.
Keywords: Asian economies; Economic growth; Human development index; ICT; MG estimator.