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Educational expansion : evidence and interpretation

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  • Gradstein, Mark
  • Nikitin, Denis

Abstract

The authors document the vast expansion of schooling over the past several decades, as well as convergence in schooling measures across countries. They make the observation that poor countries today have higher average education levels than countries at the same level of economic development had in the past. They propose a simple model that suggests that these trends can be attributed to the intertemporal expansion of the world technological frontier, which enhances the demand for schooling. Their empirical analysis supports the view that educational expansion has occurred because of the increase in demand, especially in open economies, and not because of cost-reducing improvements in the education sector.

Suggested Citation

  • Gradstein, Mark & Nikitin, Denis, 2004. "Educational expansion : evidence and interpretation," Policy Research Working Paper Series 3245, The World Bank.
    • Handle: RePEc:wbk:wbrwps:3245
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
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    Cited by:

    1. Zhi Li & Hai Zhong, 2017. "The impact of higher education expansion on intergenerational mobility," The Economics of Transition, The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, vol. 25(4), pages 575-591, October.
    2. Petrakis, P.E. & Stamatakis, D., 2005. "Human capital, growth and convergence traps: Implications from a cross-country analysis," Proceedings of the German Development Economics Conference, Kiel 2005 26, Verein für Socialpolitik, Research Committee Development Economics.
    3. Hungerman, Daniel M., 2014. "The effect of education on religion: Evidence from compulsory schooling laws," Journal of Economic Behavior & Organization, Elsevier, vol. 104(C), pages 52-63.
    4. Delfin Go & Denis Nikitin & Xiongjian Wang & Heng-fu Zou, 2007. "Poverty and Inequality in Sub-Saharan Africa: Literature Survey and Empirical Assessment," Annals of Economics and Finance, Society for AEF, vol. 8(2), pages 251-304, November.
    5. Hai Zhong, 2013. "Does Education Expansion Increase Intergenerational Mobility?," Economica, London School of Economics and Political Science, vol. 80(320), pages 760-773, October.

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