Abstract
Inclusive growth is based on the idea that economic growth is important, but that the benefits of growth are not sufficient to produce sustained improvements in well-being unless shared fairly among individuals and social groups. Therefor, eliminating the welfare-reducing effects of financial openness will only be possible if growth is inclusive. In such a case, financial openness will correct income inequality, decrease the Gini coefficient and provide financial inclusion. Based on this relationship, the study aims to investigate the causal relationship between financial openness and inclusive growth for 1995-2019 using data from 16 Middle East and North Africa (MENA) countries. For this purpose, both Emirmahmutoğlu and Köse (2011) causality analysis, which does not consider structural breaks, and Panel Fourier Toda Yamamoto, in which structural breaks are taken into account with the Fourier approach, were used. The findings present a one-way causality relationship from inclusive growth to Financial openness for the Emirmahmutoğlu and Köse (2011) test. On the other hand, according to the Panel Fourier TodaYamamoto test results, a bidirectional causality relationship was found between financial openness and inclusive growth for MENA countries.