Economic Complexity: Correlations between Gross Domestic Product and Fitness

Abstract

In this paper we study the causal relation between country Economic Fitness F c and its Gross Domestic Product per capita ( G D P ). Using the Takens’ theorem, as first suggested in (Sugihara, G. et al. 2012), we show that there exists a reasonable evidence of causal correlation between G D P and F c for relatively rich countries. This is not the case for relatively poor countries where F c and G D P do not show any significant causal relation. We also present some preliminary results to understand whether G D P or F c are driving factor for economic growth.