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Higher Test Scores or More Schooling? Another Look at the Causes of Economic Growth

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  • Theodore R. Breton

Abstract

I use a dynamic augmented Solow model to estimate the effect of international test scores and investment in schooling and tutoring on economic growth rates in 55 countries during 1985-2005. Either test scores or investment in schooling and tutoring can explain growth rates in the full data set or in countries that had less than 8 years of schooling in 1985. In countries with more schooling in 1985, investment in schooling has a small effect and test scores have no effect on growth rates. In the 24 countries with scores above 470, higher scores have no effect on growth rates.

Suggested Citation

  • Theodore R. Breton, 2015. "Higher Test Scores or More Schooling? Another Look at the Causes of Economic Growth," Journal of Human Capital, University of Chicago Press, vol. 9(2), pages 239-263.
    • Handle: RePEc:ucp:jhucap:doi:10.1086/681911
    DOI: 10.1086/681911
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    Cited by:

    1. Hammed Musibau & Joaquin Vespignani & Maria Belen Yanotti, 2024. "Education Quality and Economic Growth: A New International Measure of Quality of Education," CAMA Working Papers 2024-72, Centre for Applied Macroeconomic Analysis, Crawford School of Public Policy, The Australian National University.
    2. Oniovosa Stanley Oghenenyerhovwo, 2018. "The Role of Arts and Social Science Education on the Growth and Development of the Nigerian Economy," Sumerianz Journal of Economics and Finance, Sumerianz Publication, vol. 1(1), pages 1-8, 06-2018.
    3. Altinok, Nadir & Aydemir, Abdurrahman, 2017. "Does one size fit all? The impact of cognitive skills on economic growth," Journal of Macroeconomics, Elsevier, vol. 53(C), pages 176-190.
    4. Campbell, Susanna G. & Üngör, Murat, 2020. "Revisiting human capital and aggregate income differences," Economic Modelling, Elsevier, vol. 91(C), pages 43-64.
    5. Sami Chaabouni & Mounir Ben Mbarek, 2024. "What Will Be the Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on the Human Capital and Economic Growth? Evidence from Eurozone," Journal of the Knowledge Economy, Springer;Portland International Center for Management of Engineering and Technology (PICMET), vol. 15(1), pages 2482-2498, March.
    6. Anna Valero, 2021. "Education and economic growth," CEP Discussion Papers dp1764, Centre for Economic Performance, LSE.
    7. Breton, Theodore R., 2015. "Human capital and growth in Japan: Converging to the steady state in a 1% world," Journal of the Japanese and International Economies, Elsevier, vol. 36(C), pages 73-89.
    8. Sivropoulos-Valero, Anna Alexandra, 2021. "Education and economic growth," LSE Research Online Documents on Economics 114434, London School of Economics and Political Science, LSE Library.
    9. Anna Valero, 2021. "Education and economic growth," POID Working Papers 006, Centre for Economic Performance, LSE.
    10. Theodore R. Breton & Andrew S. Breton, 2021. "Growth in a macro‐Mincer model: Good results with schooling and experience interactions," Review of Development Economics, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 25(2), pages 563-581, May.

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    More about this item

    JEL classification:

    • O41 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Economic Growth and Aggregate Productivity - - - One, Two, and Multisector Growth Models
    • I25 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Education - - - Education and Economic Development

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