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Test scores and economic growth: update and extension

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  • Heller-Sahlgren, Gabriel
  • Jordahl, Henrik

Abstract

Research indicates that education quality–measured by test scores in international student surveys–predicts economic growth. In this paper, we extend previous findings up to 2016 and analyse test scores of upper-secondary school students only. We find that the positive relationship between growth and test scores holds in both cases. The share of top-performing students exhibits a stronger correlation with economic growth than does the share of students who meet basic requirements.

Suggested Citation

  • Heller-Sahlgren, Gabriel & Jordahl, Henrik, 2023. "Test scores and economic growth: update and extension," LSE Research Online Documents on Economics 118145, London School of Economics and Political Science, LSE Library.
    • Handle: RePEc:ehl:lserod:118145
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    File URL: http://eprints.lse.ac.uk/118145/
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Eric Hanushek & Ludger Woessmann, 2012. "Do better schools lead to more growth? Cognitive skills, economic outcomes, and causation," Journal of Economic Growth, Springer, vol. 17(4), pages 267-321, December.
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    6. Inklaar, Robert & de Jong, Harmen & Bolt, Jutta & van Zanden, Jan, 2018. "Rebasing 'Maddison': new income comparisons and the shape of long-run economic development," GGDC Research Memorandum GD-174, Groningen Growth and Development Centre, University of Groningen.
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    economic growth; education; PISA; TIMSS; top-performing students;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • I20 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Education - - - General
    • O15 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Economic Development - - - Economic Development: Human Resources; Human Development; Income Distribution; Migration
    • O57 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Economywide Country Studies - - - Comparative Studies of Countries

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