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Sanjeev K Sobhee

University of Mauritius, Department of economics and statistics, Faculty Member

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Professor Sanjeev K Sobhee has been appointed as Vice-Chancellor on 19 September 2022.

Prior to his appointment, Prof Sobhee served as Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Academia) since April 2017 to 19 September 2022. During his tenure as Pro-Vice-Chancellor, Prof Sobhee has been spearheading major academic reforms at the University including the streamlining of several administrative processes and procedures, introduced of the Learner Centred Credit System (LCCS) as an outcome-based curriculum and implemented the Academic Workload Model.

Moreover, he occupied the post of Dean of the Faculty of Social Studies and Humanities from 2008 to 2011 and prior to this, he was the Head of the Department of Economics and Statistics from 2004 to 2006.

Professor Sobhee is Professor of Economics and has wide experience in teaching at undergraduate and postgraduate levels across different fields of Economics. His teaching focus has been Advanced Macroeconomics, Public Policy, Economics of the Environment and Sustainable Development and Quantitative Methods essentially on postgraduate programmes.

As far as his research is concerned, Professor Sobhee has published extensively in internationally refereed journals such as Journal of Economic Policy Forum, Oxford Development Studies, Canadian Journal of Development Studies, American Review of Political Economy, Development Southern Africa, Applied Economics Letters, Ocean and Coastal Management and Environmental Management, amongst others. He has also contributed to different book chapters in these areas.

In addition, Professor Sobhee has been a Consultant for several projects for various international institutions, namely, The World Bank, United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), Food and Agricultural Organisation (FAO), International Organisation for Migration (IOM), United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD), Southern African Development Community (SADC). Some of the completed projects that he had worked on are Green Fiscal Policy Making, Socio-Economic Analysis of Fuel Efficient Vehicles, Migration and Climate Change, Socio-economic Consequences of Alcohol Abuse and Household Indebtedness in Mauritius.

He is also a member of the Royal Economic Society, UK and a member of the Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) of the Bank of Mauritius.
Phone: 4037415
Address: University of Mauritius
Reduit
Mauritius

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Papers by Sanjeev K Sobhee

The Implications of Openness for Wagner's Law. An International Comparison of 20 Countries, 1971-2000

Social Science Research Network, Aug 17, 2008

Globalisation and governance: an African perspective and a case study of Mauritius

An Error Correction Model of the Median Voter?s Demand for Public Goods in Mauritius

Economic Issues Journal Articles, 2003

Would Better Institutional Quality Contribute towards Reducing the Size of Government in Sub-Saharan Africa?

Margin: The Journal of Applied Economic Research, Aug 1, 2010

Sub-Saharan Africa is concurrently characterised by low institutional quality and large-sized gov... more Sub-Saharan Africa is concurrently characterised by low institutional quality and large-sized government sectors and both may keep the cost of doing business high. This paper revitalises the political economy literature on growth of governments in highlighting the essence of upgrading institutional quality to trim down government size in several sub-Saharan economies. It particularly contributes to existing knowledge by showing that failure to control for idiosyncrasies would lead to serious biases in regressions that try to explain growth of governments. Moreover, this paper challenges factors such as globalisation and population dynamics, often perceived as major drivers, of the size of public sector in developing countries. Empirical findings based on 42 economies, pertaining to this region, clearly indicate that, besides level of development, the quality of institutions matters tremendously in reducing growth of governments. Contrary to previous studies, weak evidence is found of trade openness, urbanisation and dependency ratio determining public sector growth once idiosyncratic elements are accounted for. Of the six indicators of institutional quality applied in this assessment, ‘Control of Corruption’ is found to be most significant that policy reforms should address to reduce the overwhelming sizes of government in sub-Saharan economies.

Fisheries biodiversity conservation and sustainable tourism in Mauritius

Ocean & Coastal Management, 2006

Greater Female Employment Participation as a Catalyst to Reducing Income Inequality in Developing Countries – The Case of Latin American and Sub-Saharan African Countries

Social Science Research Network, 2020

This paper unravels the linkage between income inequality and women’s participation in the labor ... more This paper unravels the linkage between income inequality and women’s participation in the labor force within a group of developing countries drawn from Latin America and sub-Saharan Africa. It adds to the existing body of literature by providing additional empirical evidence and pertinent situations to a group of countries in which current empiricism on the subject is to a large extent scanty. The choice of these countries has been done basically on grounds that they are subjected to very high income inequality trends and relentless policies encompassing gender biases. The traits are common to both sets of countries. Our regression results, based on 45 countries, clearly unfold that greater female participation in these countries tend to reduce income inequality. The major policy implication that emanates from this research is that governments in these countries should emphasize on empowering women to achieve greater gender equity in employment, lower income inequality and higher welfare for all.

Economic Development and the Need for Environmental Management in the Island of Mauritius

The Causality between Taxes and Public Expenditure in Mauritius,1970-1999: A VECM Approach

International journal of applied econometrics and quantitative studies, 2004

Economic Development, Income Inequality and Environmental Degradation of Fisheries Resources in Mauritius

Environmental Management, Jun 29, 2004

The economic success of Mauritius: lessons and policy options for Africa

Journal of Economic Policy Reform, Mar 1, 2009

As a sub‐Saharan country, Mauritius has been branded a success story in terms of its sustained ec... more As a sub‐Saharan country, Mauritius has been branded a success story in terms of its sustained economic growth performance, with major improvements in the living standards of its population at large over the past few decades. This paper has the objectives of revisiting this success story, essentially by analyzing the numerous policies that have been adopted, to provide insights into Africa’s policy options. The Mauritian case study demonstrates that no single dose of economic reforms may generate growth dividends to perpetuity, especially when the current economic environment differs from initial conditions.

Central Bank Independence versus Partisan Monetary Cycles-The Case of Mauritius

The Indian Economic Journal, Sep 1, 2001

On Delegating the Distribution Role of Central Government to State Governments Some Political Economy Issues

American review of political economy, Dec 1, 2009

On the Efficiency and Equity Effects of Public Sector Investment in Education in Mauritius

Canadian Journal of Development Studies, 2006

This paper addresses the efficiency and equity impacts of public sector investment in education i... more This paper addresses the efficiency and equity impacts of public sector investment in education in Mauritius from 1970–1999. In particular, an investigation is carried out to assess whether such investment did contribute first to greater efficiency of the workforce through higher economic growth, and, second, to a more equitable income distribution through the Gini coefficient. Our findings indicate that while public educational expenditure has led to greater efficiency through higher per capita output, its distributional effects are rather complex The latter effects are tracked through two channels: in the direct causal sense, they are found to worsen inequality, whereas in the indirect or externality sense, they tend to reduce income inequality. However, the overall effect of such expenditure on equity is found to depend much on labour productivity.

The Effects of Bad Institutions on Economic Growth Investigating the Case of Latin American and Sub-Saharan Economies Prior to the World Economic Downturn

Social Science Research Network, 2016

Analysing and evaluating the taxpayer's demand for merit goods: the case of public sector education and health in Mauritius

Development Southern Africa, Sep 1, 2005

This paper analyses the average taxpayer's demand for merit goods, namely, education and hea... more This paper analyses the average taxpayer's demand for merit goods, namely, education and health, in Mauritius, a small developing island state. To study these development-related goods, a fresh methodology is employed that captures the characteristics of the Mauritian economy. The empirical evidence relates to the post-independence period of more than three decades, 1973 to 1999 and beyond. The respective demand elasticities for each merit good are analysed and evaluated. The findings indicate that, contrary to the conventional theory of demand, beneficiaries tend to demand more of such goods when their prices are increased, and less when they are decreased. The rationale for this behaviour is that people, in general, and taxpayers, in particular, being quality conscious, increase their demand when they are asked to pay more, expecting in return an improvement in the quality of services. However, there is evidence that over these three decades users' preferences have shifted, particularly in the case of education, towards private provision, indicating less reliance on public sector provision, and that during the years of structural adjustments the demand for these services was severely suppressed. This paper emanates from a research project undertaken by the author and which was fully sponsored by the Research and Consultancy Centre of the University of Mauritius in the year 2000.

The effects of poor institutional quality on economic growth – investigating the case of Sub-Saharan and Latin American economies prior to the world economic downturn

Economic Thought journal, 2017

The environmental Kuznets curve (EKC): a logistic curve?

Applied Economics Letters, Jun 10, 2004

... development, environmental degra-dation increases principally because of intensive use ofenvi... more

Impact of Trade Liberalisation on Labour Conditions on the Textile Sector of Mauritius: The Fate of Female Workers

Regional and Sectoral Economic Studies, 2009

ABSTRACT

Quality of Institutions and Economic Growth in Developing Economies

Social Science Research Network, 2012

Conventional growth models fail to track the role played by institutions in influencing economic ... more Conventional growth models fail to track the role played by institutions in influencing economic performance as they are more biased towards using human and physical capital elements. This paper tries to address this gap and investigates into the extent to which the quality of institutions matters in determining economic growth by using an augmented New Endogenous growth function with institutional quality. A set of combined developing economies pertaining to Latin American and sub-Saharan African is applied in this exercise. Our major findings uncover, firstly, that institutional capital plays a fundamental in fostering economic growth and, secondly, that a more effective public sector is found to have a substantial impact on growth as compared to other selective individual measures of institutional quality.

Socio-Economic Study of the Fisher Community in Mauritius and Rodrigues

The Implications of Openness for Wagner's Law. An International Comparison of 20 Countries, 1971-2000

Social Science Research Network, Aug 17, 2008

Globalisation and governance: an African perspective and a case study of Mauritius

An Error Correction Model of the Median Voter?s Demand for Public Goods in Mauritius

Economic Issues Journal Articles, 2003

Would Better Institutional Quality Contribute towards Reducing the Size of Government in Sub-Saharan Africa?

Margin: The Journal of Applied Economic Research, Aug 1, 2010

Sub-Saharan Africa is concurrently characterised by low institutional quality and large-sized gov... more Sub-Saharan Africa is concurrently characterised by low institutional quality and large-sized government sectors and both may keep the cost of doing business high. This paper revitalises the political economy literature on growth of governments in highlighting the essence of upgrading institutional quality to trim down government size in several sub-Saharan economies. It particularly contributes to existing knowledge by showing that failure to control for idiosyncrasies would lead to serious biases in regressions that try to explain growth of governments. Moreover, this paper challenges factors such as globalisation and population dynamics, often perceived as major drivers, of the size of public sector in developing countries. Empirical findings based on 42 economies, pertaining to this region, clearly indicate that, besides level of development, the quality of institutions matters tremendously in reducing growth of governments. Contrary to previous studies, weak evidence is found of trade openness, urbanisation and dependency ratio determining public sector growth once idiosyncratic elements are accounted for. Of the six indicators of institutional quality applied in this assessment, ‘Control of Corruption’ is found to be most significant that policy reforms should address to reduce the overwhelming sizes of government in sub-Saharan economies.

Fisheries biodiversity conservation and sustainable tourism in Mauritius

Ocean & Coastal Management, 2006

Greater Female Employment Participation as a Catalyst to Reducing Income Inequality in Developing Countries – The Case of Latin American and Sub-Saharan African Countries

Social Science Research Network, 2020

This paper unravels the linkage between income inequality and women’s participation in the labor ... more This paper unravels the linkage between income inequality and women’s participation in the labor force within a group of developing countries drawn from Latin America and sub-Saharan Africa. It adds to the existing body of literature by providing additional empirical evidence and pertinent situations to a group of countries in which current empiricism on the subject is to a large extent scanty. The choice of these countries has been done basically on grounds that they are subjected to very high income inequality trends and relentless policies encompassing gender biases. The traits are common to both sets of countries. Our regression results, based on 45 countries, clearly unfold that greater female participation in these countries tend to reduce income inequality. The major policy implication that emanates from this research is that governments in these countries should emphasize on empowering women to achieve greater gender equity in employment, lower income inequality and higher welfare for all.

Economic Development and the Need for Environmental Management in the Island of Mauritius

The Causality between Taxes and Public Expenditure in Mauritius,1970-1999: A VECM Approach

International journal of applied econometrics and quantitative studies, 2004

Economic Development, Income Inequality and Environmental Degradation of Fisheries Resources in Mauritius

Environmental Management, Jun 29, 2004

The economic success of Mauritius: lessons and policy options for Africa

Journal of Economic Policy Reform, Mar 1, 2009

As a sub‐Saharan country, Mauritius has been branded a success story in terms of its sustained ec... more As a sub‐Saharan country, Mauritius has been branded a success story in terms of its sustained economic growth performance, with major improvements in the living standards of its population at large over the past few decades. This paper has the objectives of revisiting this success story, essentially by analyzing the numerous policies that have been adopted, to provide insights into Africa’s policy options. The Mauritian case study demonstrates that no single dose of economic reforms may generate growth dividends to perpetuity, especially when the current economic environment differs from initial conditions.

Central Bank Independence versus Partisan Monetary Cycles-The Case of Mauritius

The Indian Economic Journal, Sep 1, 2001

On Delegating the Distribution Role of Central Government to State Governments Some Political Economy Issues

American review of political economy, Dec 1, 2009

On the Efficiency and Equity Effects of Public Sector Investment in Education in Mauritius

Canadian Journal of Development Studies, 2006

This paper addresses the efficiency and equity impacts of public sector investment in education i... more This paper addresses the efficiency and equity impacts of public sector investment in education in Mauritius from 1970–1999. In particular, an investigation is carried out to assess whether such investment did contribute first to greater efficiency of the workforce through higher economic growth, and, second, to a more equitable income distribution through the Gini coefficient. Our findings indicate that while public educational expenditure has led to greater efficiency through higher per capita output, its distributional effects are rather complex The latter effects are tracked through two channels: in the direct causal sense, they are found to worsen inequality, whereas in the indirect or externality sense, they tend to reduce income inequality. However, the overall effect of such expenditure on equity is found to depend much on labour productivity.

The Effects of Bad Institutions on Economic Growth Investigating the Case of Latin American and Sub-Saharan Economies Prior to the World Economic Downturn

Social Science Research Network, 2016

Analysing and evaluating the taxpayer's demand for merit goods: the case of public sector education and health in Mauritius

Development Southern Africa, Sep 1, 2005

This paper analyses the average taxpayer's demand for merit goods, namely, education and hea... more This paper analyses the average taxpayer's demand for merit goods, namely, education and health, in Mauritius, a small developing island state. To study these development-related goods, a fresh methodology is employed that captures the characteristics of the Mauritian economy. The empirical evidence relates to the post-independence period of more than three decades, 1973 to 1999 and beyond. The respective demand elasticities for each merit good are analysed and evaluated. The findings indicate that, contrary to the conventional theory of demand, beneficiaries tend to demand more of such goods when their prices are increased, and less when they are decreased. The rationale for this behaviour is that people, in general, and taxpayers, in particular, being quality conscious, increase their demand when they are asked to pay more, expecting in return an improvement in the quality of services. However, there is evidence that over these three decades users' preferences have shifted, particularly in the case of education, towards private provision, indicating less reliance on public sector provision, and that during the years of structural adjustments the demand for these services was severely suppressed. This paper emanates from a research project undertaken by the author and which was fully sponsored by the Research and Consultancy Centre of the University of Mauritius in the year 2000.

The effects of poor institutional quality on economic growth – investigating the case of Sub-Saharan and Latin American economies prior to the world economic downturn

Economic Thought journal, 2017

The environmental Kuznets curve (EKC): a logistic curve?

Applied Economics Letters, Jun 10, 2004

... development, environmental degra-dation increases principally because of intensive use ofenvi... more

Impact of Trade Liberalisation on Labour Conditions on the Textile Sector of Mauritius: The Fate of Female Workers

Regional and Sectoral Economic Studies, 2009

ABSTRACT

Quality of Institutions and Economic Growth in Developing Economies

Social Science Research Network, 2012

Conventional growth models fail to track the role played by institutions in influencing economic ... more Conventional growth models fail to track the role played by institutions in influencing economic performance as they are more biased towards using human and physical capital elements. This paper tries to address this gap and investigates into the extent to which the quality of institutions matters in determining economic growth by using an augmented New Endogenous growth function with institutional quality. A set of combined developing economies pertaining to Latin American and sub-Saharan African is applied in this exercise. Our major findings uncover, firstly, that institutional capital plays a fundamental in fostering economic growth and, secondly, that a more effective public sector is found to have a substantial impact on growth as compared to other selective individual measures of institutional quality.

Socio-Economic Study of the Fisher Community in Mauritius and Rodrigues

THE EMERGENCE OF AFRICA Processes, Drivers and Outcomes of Emergence: Case Study of Mauritius

Based on the economic success story of Mauritius during its first phase of emergence, this paper ... more Based on the economic success story of Mauritius during its first phase of emergence, this paper aims at providing noteworthy insights that could serve as policy lessons to many other African countries. From the legacy of a mono-crop agrarian economy at the time of independence to a diversified services-based Upper Middle Economy, Mauritius boasts itself today as one of the strongest economies in the sub-Saharan region. However, to ensure a robust growth inclusive sustainable path, while transiting to a second phase of emergence, there is much to be done to address the rather daunting socio-economic challenges which the country is currently facing. The paper actually encompasses a review of economic, social, political and institutional drivers as underpinnings of this success story and the new challenges. At present, Mauritius is viewed as a stagnating middle-income economy with a poor rating in its struggle against poverty and income inequality. The new phase of emergence can be described as the move towards a high income economy characterized by an inclusive social and economic transformation (ISET). In this vein, the paper also proposes an ISET indicator from a basic framework to track and evaluate Mauritius’s performance as far as the social and economic transformation is concerned. This indicator tries to counter balance the poor performance of socio-economic indicators, namely; poverty, income inequality and unemployment against the HDI index (which already captures per capita income and human progress in education and health sectors). In addition, an evaluation is made of the proposed reforms currently being adopted to attain a high income growth-inclusive economy. Specific policy lessons and their relevance to other African economies are highlighted. A special feature of the paper is the evaluation of entrepreneurship development and job creation, based on an analysis of Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs), amongst others, which could serve as an engine to promote the ISET.