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Le taux de rendement de l’éducation et la conjoncture économique : Québec, 1981-87

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  • Lemelin, Clément

    (Département des sciences économiques, Université du Québec à Montréal)

  • Prud’homme, Philippe

    (Conférence des recteurs et des principaux des universités du Québec)

Abstract

Economists have grown accustomed to measuring the profitability of education with an all-purpose rate of return. Even though the benefits of education are received in the future, the rate of return is obtained by comparing costs and increments in earnings observed in a single period. Since earnings profiles are affected by the economic outlook, the rate of return to education may very well be correlated with the business cycle. To evaluate this sensitivity, private rates of return to university education in Quebec are computed for six years between 1981 and 1987. The results show that the rate of return is sensitive to the business cycle, being higher in a recession. On a pris l’habitude d’évaluer la rentabilité de l’éducation, considérée comme un investissement, à l’aide d’un taux de rendement « à tout usage ». Même si les bénéfices sont futurs, ce taux est obtenu en mettant en relation des coûts et des différences de revenu observés à la même période. Les profils de revenu étant affectés par la conjoncture économique, ce taux de rendement pourrait varier le long du cycle économique. Pour évaluer cette sensibilité, le taux de rendement privé des études universitaires au Québec est calculé pour six années, entre 1981 et 1987. Les résultats obtenus indiquent une variabilité du taux de rendement, qui paraît plus élevé en période de ralentissement économique.

Suggested Citation

  • Lemelin, Clément & Prud’homme, Philippe, 1994. "Le taux de rendement de l’éducation et la conjoncture économique : Québec, 1981-87," L'Actualité Economique, Société Canadienne de Science Economique, vol. 70(1), pages 27-41, mars.
    • Handle: RePEc:ris:actuec:v:70:y:1994:i:1:p:27-41
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