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Human Capital In China

Author

Listed:
  • Haizheng Li
  • Barbara M. Fraumeni
  • Zhiqiang Liu
  • Xiaojun Wang

Abstract

In this paper we estimate China's human capital stock from 1985 to 2007 based on the Jorgenson-Fraumeni lifetime income approach. An individual's human capital stock is equal to the discounted present value of all future incomes he or she can generate. In our model, human capital accumulates through formal education as well as on-the-job training. The value of human capital is assumed to be zero upon reaching the mandatory retirement ages. China's total real human capital increased from 26.98 billion yuan in 1985 (i.e., the base year) to 118.75 billion yuan in 2007, implying an average annual growth rate of 6.78%. The annual growth rate increased from 5.11% during 1985-1994 to 7.86% during 1995-2007. Per capita real human capital increased from 28,044 yuan in 1985 to 106,462 yuan in 2007, implying an average annual growth rate of 6.25%. The annual growth rate also increased from 3.9% during 1985-1994 to 7.5% during 1995-2007. Therefore, although population growth contributed significantly to the total human capital accumulation before 1994, per capita human capital growth was primary driving force after 1995. The substantial increase in educational attainment during 1985-2007 contributed significantly to the growth in total and per capita real human capital.

Suggested Citation

  • Haizheng Li & Barbara M. Fraumeni & Zhiqiang Liu & Xiaojun Wang, 2009. "Human Capital In China," NBER Working Papers 15500, National Bureau of Economic Research, Inc.
  • Handle: RePEc:nbr:nberwo:15500
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

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    2. Cao, Kang Hua & Birchenall, Javier A., 2013. "Agricultural productivity, structural change, and economic growth in post-reform China," Journal of Development Economics, Elsevier, vol. 104(C), pages 165-180.
    3. Kleinwechter, Ulrich & Grethe, Harald, 2012. "Trade policy impacts under alternative land market regimes in rural China," China Economic Review, Elsevier, vol. 23(4), pages 1071-1089.
    4. Barbara M. Fraumeni, 2015. "Choosing a Human Capital Measure: Educational Attainment Gaps and Rankings," NBER Working Papers 21283, National Bureau of Economic Research, Inc.
    5. Biyu Ma & Dingming Yu, 2021. "Research on the influence of R&D human resources on innovation capability—Empirical research on GEM‐listed enterprises of China," Managerial and Decision Economics, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., vol. 42(3), pages 751-761, April.
    6. Barbara M. Fraumeni & Michael S. Christian & Jon D. Samuels, 2015. "The Accumulation of Human and Nonhuman Capital, Revisited," NBER Working Papers 21284, National Bureau of Economic Research, Inc.
    7. Alfred Greiner & Peter Flaschel, 2009. "Economic Policy in a Growth Model with Human Capital, Heterogenous Agents and Unemployment," Computational Economics, Springer;Society for Computational Economics, vol. 33(2), pages 175-192, March.
    8. John Whalley & Xiliang Zhao, 2013. "The Contribution Of Human Capital To China'S Economic Growth," China Economic Policy Review (CEPR), World Scientific Publishing Co. Pte. Ltd., vol. 2(01), pages 1-22.
    9. Michael S. Christian, 2011. "Human Capital Accounting in the United States: Context, Measurement, and Application," BEA Working Papers 0073, Bureau of Economic Analysis.
    10. Barbara M. Fraumeni, 2013. "Comments on "Productivity or Employment: Is It a Choice?"," International Productivity Monitor, Centre for the Study of Living Standards, vol. 25, pages 61-64, Spring.
    11. Bhattacharyya, Chandril & Gupta, Manash Ranjan, 2020. "Union, Efficiency of Labour and Endogenous Growth," Hitotsubashi Journal of Economics, Hitotsubashi University, vol. 61(2), pages 170-202, December.
    12. Johnston, Lauren A., 2020. "China’s Economic Demography Transition Strategy: A Population Weighted Approach to the Economy and Policy," GLO Discussion Paper Series 593, Global Labor Organization (GLO).
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    14. Michael S. Christian, 2014. "Human Capital Accounting in the United States: Context, Measurement, and Application," NBER Chapters, in: Measuring Economic Sustainability and Progress, pages 461-491, National Bureau of Economic Research, Inc.
    15. Chen, Ku-Hsieh & Huang, Yi-Ju & Yang, Chih-Hai, 2009. "Analysis of regional productivity growth in China: A generalized metafrontier MPI approach," China Economic Review, Elsevier, vol. 20(4), pages 777-792, December.
    16. Yanqing Jiang, 2012. "Technology diffusion, spatial effects and productivity growth in the Chinese provinces," International Review of Applied Economics, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 26(5), pages 643-656, September.
    17. Pim de Zwart, 2011. "Real wages at the Cape of Good Hope: A long-term perspective, 1652-1912," Working Papers 0013, Utrecht University, Centre for Global Economic History.
    18. Stephen Morgan, 2010. "Adjustment of age-related height decline for Chinese: a ‘natural experiment’ longitudinal survey using archival data," Working Papers 10022, Economic History Society.
    19. AfDB AfDB, 2007. "Working Paper 88 - Growing a Knowledge - Based Economy: Evidence from Public Expenditure on Education in Africa," Working Paper Series 2221, African Development Bank.
    20. Myasoyedov, Sergei & Martirosyan, Emil & Sergeeva, Anastasia, 2015. "Modern Forms of Globalization of Human Capital - The New Trends in the Global Mobility of Staff," Published Papers 2312, Russian Presidential Academy of National Economy and Public Administration.
    21. AfDB AfDB, 2007. "Working Paper 88 - Growing a Knowledge - Based Economy: Evidence from Public Expenditure on Education in Africa," Working Paper Series 2301, African Development Bank.
    22. Verbic, Miroslav & Majcen, Boris & Cok, Mitja, 2009. "Education and Economic Growth in Slovenia: A Dynamic General Equilibrium Approach with Endogenous Growth," MPRA Paper 17817, University Library of Munich, Germany.
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    JEL classification:

    • J24 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demand and Supply of Labor - - - Human Capital; Skills; Occupational Choice; Labor Productivity

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