IMF Working Papers

The Distributional Bias of Public Education: Causes and Consequences

By Mark Gradstein, Era Dabla-Norris

November 1, 2004

Download PDF More Formats on IMF eLibrary Order a Print Copy
More formats on IMF eLibrary Order a Print Copy

Preview Citation

Format: Chicago

Mark Gradstein, and Era Dabla-Norris. "The Distributional Bias of Public Education: Causes and Consequences", IMF Working Papers 2004, 214 (2004), accessed November 7, 2025, https://doi.org/10.5089/9781451875027.001

Export Citation

  • ProCite
  • RefWorks
  • Reference Manager
  • BibTex
  • Zotero
  • EndNote
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

While public education is often intended to be progressive in its effects on income distribution, in reality its incidence is often skewed toward the rich. This paper argues that the extent of this bias is directly related to institutional weaknesses in governance. We present a simple dynamic model where weak governing institutions allow the rich to be more effective in appropriating a larger share of public education spending thereby preventing inequality reduction. The empirical part provides tentative support for this view, showing that the progressiveness of public education spending is related to the strength of governance.

Subject: Education, Education spending, Expenditure, Income inequality, Personal income

Keywords: Public spending, WP

Publication Details

You May Also Be Interested In...

Liberia: Poverty Reduction Strategy Paper

November 7, 2025

Liberia: Selected Issues

November 7, 2025

Liberia: 2025 Article IV Consultation and Second Review Under the Extended Credit Facility Arrangement and Request for a Waiver of Nonobservance of a Continuous Performance Criterion-Press Release; Staff Report; and Statement by the Executive Director for Liberia

November 7, 2025

Tax Expenditures in Uruguay

November 4, 2025