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Human Capital and Economic Growth in OECD Countries

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  • Middendorf, Torge

Abstract

The results of the PISA 2000 study renewed the interest in the contribution of human capital to economic growth. So far the exploration of large country comparisons delivered rather mixed results. Concentrating on those OECD member countries which participated in PISA 2000, this paper uses panel data estimation techniques to refine this analysis. Estimation results reveal a positive impact of the human capital stock on economic growth suggesting that an increase in the average schooling years by one year yields a rise in the GDP growth rate of about 0.5 percentage points. However, when taking possible endogeneity into account in an instrumental variables approach, these conclusions on the impact of the level of human capital on economic growth is demonstrated to be rather fragile.

Suggested Citation

  • Middendorf, Torge, 2005. "Human Capital and Economic Growth in OECD Countries," RWI Discussion Papers 30, RWI - Leibniz-Institut für Wirtschaftsforschung.
    • Handle: RePEc:zbw:rwidps:30
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    2. Hwan-Joo Seo & Young Soo Lee & Jai-Joon Hur & Jin Ki Kim, 2012. "The impact of information and communication technology on skilled labor and organization types," Information Systems Frontiers, Springer, vol. 14(2), pages 445-455, April.
    3. Valerien O. Pede & Raymond J. G. M. Florax & Henri L. F. de Groot & Gustavo Barboza, 2021. "Technological leadership and sectorial employment growth: A spatial econometric analysis for U.S. counties," Economic Notes, Banca Monte dei Paschi di Siena SpA, vol. 50(1), February.
    4. Middendorf, Torge, 2008. "Returns to Education in Europe – Detailed Results from a Harmonized Survey," Ruhr Economic Papers 65, RWI - Leibniz-Institut für Wirtschaftsforschung, Ruhr-University Bochum, TU Dortmund University, University of Duisburg-Essen.
    5. Sieng, Lai Wei & Yussof, Ishak, 2014. "Human Capital Accumulation and Economic Growth in Malaysia - Investigating the Long Run Nexus," Jurnal Ekonomi Malaysia, Faculty of Economics and Business, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, vol. 48(1), pages 155-165.
    6. Kevin Pugh & Gigi Foster, 2014. "Australia's National School Data and the ‘Big Data’ Revolution in Education Economics," Australian Economic Review, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne Institute of Applied Economic and Social Research, vol. 47(2), pages 258-268, June.
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    8. Nikos Benos & Stelios Karagiannis, 2010. "The Role of Human Capital in Economic Growth: Evidence from Greek Regions," Chapters, in: Neri Salvadori (ed.), Institutional and Social Dynamics of Growth and Distribution, chapter 7, Edward Elgar Publishing.
    9. Faisal Sultan Qadri & Abdul Waheed, 2013. "Human capital and economic growth: Cross-country evidence from low-, middle- and high-income countries," Progress in Development Studies, , vol. 13(2), pages 89-104, April.
    10. Mihut Ioana & Luțas Mihaela, 2014. "Sustainable Growth: Recent Trends Across Central And Eastern European Economies," Annals of Faculty of Economics, University of Oradea, Faculty of Economics, vol. 1(1), pages 175-186, July.
    11. Arvanitis, Spyros & Loukis, Euripidis N., 2009. "Information and communication technologies, human capital, workplace organization and labour productivity: A comparative study based on firm-level data for Greece and Switzerland," Information Economics and Policy, Elsevier, vol. 21(1), pages 43-61, February.
    12. Torge Middendorf, 2008. "Returns to Education in Europe – Detailed Results from a Harmonized Survey," Ruhr Economic Papers 0065, Rheinisch-Westfälisches Institut für Wirtschaftsforschung, Ruhr-Universität Bochum, Universität Dortmund, Universität Duisburg-Essen.
    13. Marinko Škare & Sabina Lacmanovic, 2015. "Human capital and economic growth: a review essay," The AMFITEATRU ECONOMIC journal, Academy of Economic Studies - Bucharest, Romania, vol. 17(39), pages 735-735, May.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Human capital accumulation; Convergence; Fixed-effects estimation; Instrumental variable estimation;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • I20 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Education - - - General
    • C23 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Single Equation Models; Single Variables - - - Models with Panel Data; Spatio-temporal Models
    • O40 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Economic Growth and Aggregate Productivity - - - General

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