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Rising Tides of Knowledge: Exploring China’s Higher Education Landscape and Human Capital Growth

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  • Shumei Xiao

    (Yangzhou Polytechnic College)

  • Jun Sheng

    (Yangzhou Polytechnic College)

  • Guangtao Zhang

    (Yangzhou Polytechnic College)

Abstract

This study examines the status of human capital in China’s higher education system by analyzing the quantity of higher education institutions as a metric. The results show a general enhancement in human capital in all regions, along with an optimized structure. This is demonstrated by a decline in the primary education demographic, a consistent growth in secondary education, and a rapid surge in the higher education demographic. The percentage of junior college students has remained steady, whereas the ratios of undergraduate and graduate students have been consistently increasing. The Malmquist index method is used to analyze changes in total factor productivity (TFP) among provinces and regions by breaking it down into technical level and efficiency changes. From 2005 to 2010, there was a general increase in total factor productivity (TFP) and technical proficiency, although technical efficiency showed only slight enhancement. TFP and technical level growth decelerated from 2011 to 2020, while technical efficiency stayed above 1. These findings indicate that China’s total factor productivity (TFP) growth is mainly driven by technological advancements, with minimal improvements in technical efficiency.

Suggested Citation

  • Shumei Xiao & Jun Sheng & Guangtao Zhang, 2025. "Rising Tides of Knowledge: Exploring China’s Higher Education Landscape and Human Capital Growth," Journal of the Knowledge Economy, Springer;Portland International Center for Management of Engineering and Technology (PICMET), vol. 16(1), pages 4392-4421, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:jknowl:v:16:y:2025:i:1:d:10.1007_s13132-024-02102-9
    DOI: 10.1007/s13132-024-02102-9
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