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Test scores and economic growth: update and extension

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  • Gabriel Heller-Sahlgren
  • Henrik Jordahl

Abstract

Research indicates that education quality – measured by test scores in international student surveys – predicts economic growth. In this paper, we extend previous findings up to 2016 and analyse test scores of upper-secondary school students only. We find that the positive relationship between growth and test scores holds in both cases. The share of top-performing students exhibits a stronger correlation with economic growth than does the share of students who meet basic requirements.

Suggested Citation

  • Gabriel Heller-Sahlgren & Henrik Jordahl, 2024. "Test scores and economic growth: update and extension," Applied Economics Letters, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 31(11), pages 1024-1027, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:taf:apeclt:v:31:y:2024:i:11:p:1024-1027
    DOI: 10.1080/13504851.2023.2168604
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    More about this item

    JEL classification:

    • I20 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Education - - - General
    • O15 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Economic Development - - - Economic Development: Human Resources; Human Development; Income Distribution; Migration
    • O57 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Economywide Country Studies - - - Comparative Studies of Countries

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