Growth Gains from Trade and Education

Author/Editor:

Yong-jin Kim ; Se-Jik Kim

Publication Date:

March 1, 1999

Electronic Access:

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Disclaimer: This Working Paper should not be reported as representing the views of the IMF.The views expressed in this Working Paper are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily represent those of the IMF or IMF policy. Working Papers describe research in progress by the author(s) and are published to elicit comments and to further debate

Summary:

This paper presents a multisector growth model where education enhances general human capital, which is essential for increasing or maintaining the mobility of workers across industries. The paper shows that education, combined with international trade, can affect growth positively in the long run by raising workers’ ability to adapt and move easily to industries with the greatest productivity in each period. Depending on the initial ratio of general-to-specific human capital stock, multiple equilibrium growth paths can exist, including a poverty trap. If the ratio is not substantially low, trade liberalization can allow an economy in a poverty trap to transform into one with continuous education and higher output growth.

Series:

Working Paper No. 1999/023

Subject:

Education Human capital International trade Labor Labor supply Technological innovation Technology Trade liberalization

English

Publication Date:

March 1, 1999

ISBN/ISSN:

9781451844023/1018-5941

Stock No:

WPIEA0231999

Pages:

30

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