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Miguel St. Aubyn, Álvaro Pina, Filomena Garcia and Joana Pais, ISEG – Technical University of Lisbon

Study on the efficiency and effectiveness of public spending on tertiary education pdf - 2 MB [2 MB]

(European Economy. Economic Papers. 390. November 2009. Brussels. 148pp. Tab. Graph. Ann. Bibliogr. Free.)
KC-AI-09-390-EN-N ISBN: 978-92-79-13365-7 ISSN: 1725-3187

Summary for non-specialists pdf - 107 KB [107 KB]

The purpose of the study is to assess efficiency in public tertiary education systems across EU countries plus Japan and the US with semi-parametric methods and stochastic frontier analysis.

The study identifies a core group of efficient countries. A good quality secondary system, output-based funding rules, institutions’ independent evaluation and staff policy autonomy are positively related to efficiency. 

Moreover, the study provides evidence that public spending on tertiary education is more effective in what concerns labour productivity growth and employability when it is coupled with efficiency.


JEL classification: C14, C81, H52, I23, I28
doi:10.2765/30348

Last update: 14/02/2011 | Top