## Human Capital Convergence: International Evidence

_IMF Working Papers, March 1, 2001_

## Source details

**Canonical URL:** [Human Capital Convergence: International Evidence](https://www.imf.org/en/publications/wp/issues/2016/12/30/human-capital-convergence-international-evidence-4017)

## Other formats

- [Markdown version](/en/publications/wp/issues/2016/12/30/human-capital-convergence-international-evidence-4017/index.md)
- [Structured JSON version](/en/publications/wp/issues/2016/12/30/human-capital-convergence-international-evidence-4017/index.json)
- [Bundle manifest](/en/publications/wp/issues/2016/12/30/human-capital-convergence-international-evidence-4017/bundle-manifest.json)

## Bibliographic details
- Authors: Randa Sab, Stephen C. Smith
- Published: March 1, 2001
- Series: IMF Working Papers
- DOI: https://doi.org/10.5089/9781451845112.001

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### Summary
- Study examines whether health and education levels are converging across countries and calculates their convergence speed.
- Data coverage: 100 countries during 1970–96.
- Estimation approach: a 3SLS procedure is used in a joint analysis of human capital convergence.
- Main high-level result: investments in education and health are closely linked.

### Methods and scope
- Sample: 100 countries.
- Period: 1970–96.
- Econometric method: 3SLS procedure in a joint analysis of human capital convergence.
- Indicators analyzed include life expectancy, infant survival, enrollment rates (average and by gender), and class size.

### Key findings
- Unconditional convergence observed for:
  - life expectancy
  - infant survival
  - enrollment rates, on average and by gender
- Conditional convergence observed for:
  - all human capital indicators, including class size
- Confirmed linkage:
  - investments in education and health are closely linked

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## Content in this bundle

- **Human Capital Convergence: International Evidence - WP/01/32**
  - [Human Capital Convergence: International Evidence - WP/01/32 (Markdown version)](/-/media/websites/imf/imported-full-text-pdf/external/pubs/ft/wp/2001/_wp0132.pdf.md){rel="alternate" type="text/markdown"}
  - [Human Capital Convergence: International Evidence - WP/01/32 (PDF)](/-/media/websites/imf/imported-full-text-pdf/external/pubs/ft/wp/2001/_wp0132.pdf){rel="external" type="application/pdf"}

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_Source: https://www.imf.org/en/publications/wp/issues/2016/12/30/human-capital-convergence-international-evidence-4017_