The author describes an annual database of physical infrastructure stocks for a cross-section of 152 countries for 1950-95. The database contains six measures: kilometers of roads; kilometers of paved roads; kilometers of railway lines; number of telephones; number of telephone main lines; and...

The authors estimate social rates of return to electricity-generating capacity and paved roads, relative to the return on general capital, by examining the effect on aggregate output and comparing that effect with the costs of construction. They find that both types of infrastructure capital are...

Using panel data for a cross-section of countries, the author estimates an aggregate production function that includes infrastructure capital. He finds that: 1) The productivity of physical and human capital is close to the levels suggested by microeconomic evidence on their private returns. 2)...