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Education, Health And Economic Growth In African Countries

Author

Listed:
  • JUDE EGGOH

    (Universite d'Angers, France, Universite d'Abomey-Calavi, Benin)

  • HILAIRE HOUENINVO

    (Universite d'Abomey-Calavi, Benin)

  • GILLES-ARMAND SOSSOU

    (Universite d'Abomey-Calavi, Benin)

Abstract

This paper provides new empirical evidence concerning the relationship between human capital (measured by education and health related variables) and economic growth for a large sample of 49 African countries over the period from 1996 to 2010. Using traditional cross-section and dynamic panel techniques, we find that public expenditures on education and health have a negative impact on economic growth, whereas human capital stock indicators have a slight positive effect. Furthermore, our empirical investigations suggest that education and health spending are complementary. Then, public investment in education and health should be jointly increased and their efficiency in order to expect positive impact of human capital on growth in African countries.

Suggested Citation

  • Jude Eggoh & Hilaire Houeninvo & Gilles-Armand Sossou, 2015. "Education, Health And Economic Growth In African Countries," Journal of Economic Development, Chung-Ang Unviersity, Department of Economics, vol. 40(1), pages 93-111, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:jed:journl:v:40:y:2015:i:1:p:93-111
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Human Capital; Education; Health; Economic Growth; Panel Data; Africa;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • I15 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Health - - - Health and Economic Development
    • I25 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Education - - - Education and Economic Development
    • O47 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Economic Growth and Aggregate Productivity - - - Empirical Studies of Economic Growth; Aggregate Productivity; Cross-Country Output Convergence
    • C23 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Single Equation Models; Single Variables - - - Models with Panel Data; Spatio-temporal Models
    • O55 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Economywide Country Studies - - - Africa

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