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Improving education levels of BRI participating economies: Evidence from the Education Action Plan for the Belt and Road Initiative

Author

Listed:
  • Pu, Yue
  • Zeng, Xinyi
  • Chen, Tao

Abstract

As a pivotal measure for educational internationalization, the Education Action Plan for the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) is of great significance for promoting educational equity and fostering the common development of education in BRI participating countries and regions. Based on sample data from 191 economies spanning 2010 to 2023, this study adopts the difference-in-differences (DID) method to evaluate the impact of the Education Action Plan for the BRI on the educational attainment of BRI participating economies. The empirical results reveal that the Education Action Plan for the BRI significantly improves the education levels of BRI participating countries and regions, and the conclusion is robust. Heterogeneity analysis shows that the policy's impact is more effective for females, developing economies, and non-adjacent BRI economies. Finally, the mechanism analysis indicates that the Education Action Plan for the BRI mainly improves the education levels of BRI participating economies through international students' education in China, cultural product trade, and vocational education.

Suggested Citation

  • Pu, Yue & Zeng, Xinyi & Chen, Tao, 2025. "Improving education levels of BRI participating economies: Evidence from the Education Action Plan for the Belt and Road Initiative," China Economic Review, Elsevier, vol. 94(PB).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:chieco:v:94:y:2025:i:pb:s1043951x25002421
    DOI: 10.1016/j.chieco.2025.102584
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    JEL classification:

    • I23 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Education - - - Higher Education; Research Institutions
    • I24 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Education - - - Education and Inequality
    • I28 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Education - - - Government Policy

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