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Quantifying the Macroeconomic Impact of COVID-19-Related School Closures through the Human Capital Channel

Author

Listed:
  • Christine de la Maisonneuve

    (Economics Department, Organisation for Economic Co-Operation and Development (OECD), 75016 Paris, France)

  • Balázs Égert

    (Economics Department, Organisation for Economic Co-Operation and Development (OECD), 75016 Paris, France
    EconomiX, University of Paris X-Nanterre, 92000 Nanterre, France
    CESifo, 81679 Munich, Germany)

  • David Turner

    (Economics Department, Organisation for Economic Co-Operation and Development (OECD), 75016 Paris, France)

Abstract

This paper uses a new measure of human capital, which distinguishes both quality and quantity components, to estimate the long-term effect of the COVID-19-related school closures on aggregate productivity through the human capital channel. Productivity losses build up over time and are estimated to range between 0.4% and 2.1% after 45 years, for 12 weeks and 2 years of school closure, respectively. These results appear to be broadly consistent with earlier findings in the literature. Two opposing effects might influence these estimates. Online teaching would lower economic costs while learning losses in tertiary education (not considered here) would inflate them. Policies aimed at improving the quality of education and adult training will be needed to offset or, at least, alleviate the impact of the pandemic on human capital.

Suggested Citation

  • Christine de la Maisonneuve & Balázs Égert & David Turner, 2023. "Quantifying the Macroeconomic Impact of COVID-19-Related School Closures through the Human Capital Channel," Economies, MDPI, vol. 11(12), pages 1-14, November.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jecomi:v:11:y:2023:i:12:p:289-:d:1291504
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Sneha Elango & Jorge Luis García & James J. Heckman & Andrés Hojman, 2015. "Early Childhood Education," NBER Chapters, in: Economics of Means-Tested Transfer Programs in the United States, Volume 2, pages 235-297, National Bureau of Economic Research, Inc.
    2. Ardington, Cally & Wills, Gabrielle & Kotze, Janeli, 2021. "COVID-19 learning losses: Early grade reading in South Africa," International Journal of Educational Development, Elsevier, vol. 86(C).
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    COVID-19; human capital; PISA; PIAAC; productivity; education policies; OECD countries;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • E24 - Macroeconomics and Monetary Economics - - Consumption, Saving, Production, Employment, and Investment - - - Employment; Unemployment; Wages; Intergenerational Income Distribution; Aggregate Human Capital; Aggregate Labor Productivity
    • I19 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Health - - - Other
    • I20 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Education - - - General
    • I25 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Education - - - Education and Economic Development
    • I26 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Education - - - Returns to Education
    • I28 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Education - - - Government Policy

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