## The Efficiency of Education Expenditure in Portugal

_IMF Working Papers, December 1, 1999_

## Source details

**Canonical URL:** [The Efficiency of Education Expenditure in Portugal](https://www.imf.org/en/publications/wp/issues/2016/12/30/the-efficiency-of-education-expenditure-in-portugal-3371)

## Other formats

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## Bibliographic details
- Authors: Benedict J. Clements
- Published: December 1, 1999
- Series: IMF Working Papers
- DOI: https://doi.org/10.5089/9781451859010.001

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### Overview
- This paper assesses the efficiency of education expenditure in Portugal and delineates a possible agenda for reform.
- Portugal’s low educational performance has coincided with the highest level of primary and secondary education expenditure to GDP in the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), suggesting considerable inefficiency.
- Empirical results are obtained from the application of a nonparametric technique for production frontier estimation (Free Disposable Hull analysis).

### Empirical findings
- The application of Free Disposable Hull analysis supports the view that Portugal’s primary and secondary education expenditure exhibits considerable inefficiency relative to OECD peers.
- Key empirical observation: Portugal combines low educational performance with the highest level of primary and secondary education expenditure to GDP in the OECD.

### Policy recommendations and reform agenda
- Adoption of a goal-oriented management and incentive system.
- Establishment of minimum student/teacher ratios.
- Easing of employment and work rules governing public school teachers.

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## Content in this bundle

- **The Efficiency of Education Expenditure in Portugal - WP/99/179**
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_Source: https://www.imf.org/en/publications/wp/issues/2016/12/30/the-efficiency-of-education-expenditure-in-portugal-3371_