China has remained top among the carbon dioxide (CO2) emitting countries in the world, while it has a significant contribution to world trade after World Trade Organization (WTO) reforms in China. The dramatic increase in CO2 emissions has been witnessed. This study examines the linkages between trade openness, CO2 emissions, and healthcare expenditures in China using time series data for the period 1990–2017. The study extended a theoretical model by adding healthcare expenditures, CO2 emissions, and trade openness with some constraints. We used simultaneous equation method for the analysis, and the outcomes suggest that trade is significantly affecting the CO2 emissions in the country, resulting in an increase of healthcare expenditures. The government needs reforms and trade policy embodied green energy consumption in the industrial sector, especially in export sector industries. In addition, carbon tax may be an important tool to reduce CO2 emissions and it may compensate the healthcare spending in the country.

Volatility in the prices of natural resources particularly in the Covid-19 period is the subject of major concern in recent times. Although many studies have empirically investigated the influence of oil prices on economic growth and Covid-19 on oil prices. However, the current study contributes to the literature by investigating the causal linkage of natural resources commodity prices and economic growth in the pre and post Covid-19 period for China over the period from January 01, 2019, to April 01, 2021. This study employed the wavelet power spectrum, and the wavelet coherence approaches, and the frequency domain causality test, which is known for the causal identification in the long-run, medium-run, and short-run. The empirical findings reveal that the natural resource commodity prices are more vulnerable than the economic performance particularly in the Covid-19 peak period in China. However, the wavelet coherence approach demonstrates that a bidirectional causal association exists between natural resources commodity prices and economic performance at different frequencies and time periods. Additionally, the frequency domain causality test confirms that the natural resource commodity prices volatility significantly causes economic performance only in the medium-run. Based on the empirical findings, this study recommends that innovative technological and precautionary measures must be taken to accommodate or overcome natural disasters in the future, and tackle natural resources commodity prices volatility.

Objective The provision of healthcare facilities remains high on the manifesto of various political parties in Pakistan and healthcare spending has witnessed a significant surge in the last two decades that is expected to positively influence health outcomes in the country. Therefore, this research aims to explore the effects of healthcare expenditures on the actual health status of the masses in Pakistan for the period 1995Q1 to 2017Q1. Methods We apply the Quantile Autoregressive Distributed Lag (QARDL) approach for estimation purposes. This is the most recent and emerging estimation technique in time series analysis. Results Our findings confirm that public healthcare spending significantly impacts health outcomes in Pakistan both in the short-run and long-run. Public healthcare spending improves life expectancy and reduces death rate and infant mortality. Conclusion The study concludes that public healthcare is the main focus of the current regime. It is noticed that spending on healthcare significantly contributes to the health outcomes in Pakistan. These efforts by the government significantly promote life expectancy and drop down the mortality ratio in the country. Based on these notable facts, the government should allocate sufficient resources towards the latest healthcare technologies and equipment to optimize health outcomes in the country.

No abstract

No abstract

No abstract

This paper highlights the importance of energy in the determination of growth for economy of Pakistan. This study has been taken for the period of 1972-2015. Along with energy consumption some other important variables are also put into investigation. The Johansson co-integration estimation technique has been used to estimate the required impact. The results show that energy consumption contributed positively and significantly to long run economic growth. While the said impact is statistically insignificant in the short run, the study suggested on the basis of results that energy sources should be explored to boost which may possible to satisfy the energy need of the country and to get guaranteed economic growth in the long run. Therefore, Government should pay special attention toward the country’s energy sector to stabilize the economy which assures prosperity in the country.

The current study examined the determinants of electricity consumption and also intends to forecast the electricity consumption in Pakistan. The study has used time series data analysis, applied Johansen Cointegration Test, error correction mechanisms and regression for examining determinants and autoregressive integrated moving average model is used for forecasting. The study has used times series secondary annual data on different variables for the period ranging from 1970 to 2018. The results of the study showed that gross domestic product and population have positive impact on electricity consumption. Whereas, National output (GDP) is statistically significant in the determination of total electricity consumption. The results also indicated that increase in the real economic activities has increases the total electricity consumption. Furthermore, the results of electricity consumption model also suggest that electricity price have negative impact on total electricity consumption. As electricity demand is inelastic to electricity price and income, it indicates that fewer substitutes of electricity are available in the market. Hence electricity is essential component of energy for economy. The results of the current study can be useful for the policymakers and government regulatory bodies relating to electricity.