Hierarchical Education Investment and Economic Growth in China

Abstract

There is a difference between the ways investment in general and advanced education affects human capital accumulation. Based on the endogenous economic growth model, this study considered the impact of hierarchical education investment on human capital accumulation and economic growth. Using Provincial Panel Data, the empirical analysis found that only investment in general education had a significant effect on economic output per capita, while the effect of investment in advanced education was insignificant. Increasing investment in general education could promote technological progress. However, increasing investment in advanced education does not, which means that the human capital accumulated as a result of advanced education does not have the expected benefit. Furthermore, the expansion of enrolment in colleges and universities promoted the effect of advanced education on economic output and technological progress.