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| Author: | Murtin, F. Viarengo, M. |
| Title: | The convergence of compulsory schooling in Western Europe: 1950-2000 |
| Journal: | Economica
2011 : JUL, VOL. 78:311 p. 501-522 |
| Index terms: | schools education labour models microeconomics technology democracy Western Europe |
| Language: | eng |
| Abstract: | This paper explores the expansion of compulsory schooling in 15 Western European countries in the period 1950-2000. It is shown that a convergence process of mandatory years of schooling has occurred across these countries since 1950. It is argued that the major driver of this phenomenon is the existence of decreasing aggregate returns to education that have limited the extension of compulsory schooling. It is tested whether convergence still holds when confronted with other explanations described in the literature, which are respectively based on technology and trade, institutions, and the budget constraint of governments. Conditional convergence does hold and it is found that openness has been another robust determinant of compulsory years of schooling, reflecting the need of education in an increasingly globalized world. |
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