## The Distributional Bias of Public Education: Causes and Consequences

_IMF Working Papers, November 1, 2004_

## Source details

**Canonical URL:** [The Distributional Bias of Public Education: Causes and Consequences](https://www.imf.org/en/publications/wp/issues/2016/12/31/the-distributional-bias-of-public-education-causes-and-consequences-17810)

## Other formats

- [Markdown version](/en/publications/wp/issues/2016/12/31/the-distributional-bias-of-public-education-causes-and-consequences-17810/index.md)
- [Structured JSON version](/en/publications/wp/issues/2016/12/31/the-distributional-bias-of-public-education-causes-and-consequences-17810/index.json)
- [Bundle manifest](/en/publications/wp/issues/2016/12/31/the-distributional-bias-of-public-education-causes-and-consequences-17810/bundle-manifest.json)

## Bibliographic details
- Authors: Mark Gradstein, Era Dabla-Norris
- Published: November 1, 2004
- Series: IMF Working Papers
- DOI: https://doi.org/10.5089/9781451875027.001

---

### Main argument and model
- Public education is often intended to be progressive in its effects on income distribution, but in reality its incidence is often skewed toward the rich.
- The paper presents a simple dynamic model in which weak governing institutions allow the rich to be more effective in appropriating a larger share of public education spending, thereby preventing inequality reduction.
- The extent of the distributional bias of public education is directly related to institutional weaknesses in governance.

### Empirical findings
- The empirical analysis provides tentative support for the model’s view.
- Evidence shows that the progressiveness of public education spending is related to the strength of governance.

### Policy-relevant implications (as presented)
- Strengthening governing institutions is implied to reduce the ability of the rich to appropriate a larger share of public education spending and thereby increase the progressiveness of public education.
- Improving governance is linked to making public education spending more redistributive.

---

## Content in this bundle

- **The Distributional Bias of Public Education: Causes and Consequences**
  - [The Distributional Bias of Public Education: Causes and Consequences (Markdown version)](/-/media/websites/imf/imported-full-text-pdf/external/pubs/ft/wp/2004/_wp04214.pdf.md){rel="alternate" type="text/markdown"}
  - [The Distributional Bias of Public Education: Causes and Consequences (PDF)](/-/media/websites/imf/imported-full-text-pdf/external/pubs/ft/wp/2004/_wp04214.pdf){rel="external" type="application/pdf"}

---

_Source: https://www.imf.org/en/publications/wp/issues/2016/12/31/the-distributional-bias-of-public-education-causes-and-consequences-17810_