Book contents
- The Cambridge Economic History of the Modern World
- The Cambridge Economic Historyof the Modern World
- The Cambridge Economic History of the Modern World
- Copyright page
- Contents
- Figures
- Tables
- Contributors to Volume II
- Introduction to Volume II
- Part I Regional Developments
- Part II Factors Governing Differential Outcomes in the Global Economy
- 12 Healthy, Literate, and Smart
- 13 Proximate Sources of Growth
- 14 Underlying Sources of Growth
- 15 Underlying Sources of Growth
- 16 Living Standards, Inequality, and Human Development
- 17 Trade and Immigration
- 18 International Finance
- 19 War and Empire
- Index
- References
12 - Healthy, Literate, and Smart
The Global Increase in Human Capital
from Part II - Factors Governing Differential Outcomes in the Global Economy
Published online by Cambridge University Press: 03 June 2021
Book contents
- The Cambridge Economic History of the Modern World
- The Cambridge Economic Historyof the Modern World
- The Cambridge Economic History of the Modern World
- Copyright page
- Contents
- Figures
- Tables
- Contributors to Volume II
- Introduction to Volume II
- Part I Regional Developments
- Part II Factors Governing Differential Outcomes in the Global Economy
- 12 Healthy, Literate, and Smart
- 13 Proximate Sources of Growth
- 14 Underlying Sources of Growth
- 15 Underlying Sources of Growth
- 16 Living Standards, Inequality, and Human Development
- 17 Trade and Immigration
- 18 International Finance
- 19 War and Empire
- Index
- References
Summary
Impressive gains in global life expectancy and education from 1870 to 2010 are documented. Life expectancy increased from thirty years in 1870 to seventy-one years in 2010, while an increasing number of children have attended schools and acquired formal education. The key factors responsible for these improvements are identified. Although economic growth and development increased worldwide, income has never been the main driver of life expectancy. Rather, the gains in survival came from public health efforts, medical innovations, and expanding public education. While income and schooling are no doubt positively related, the role of public funds in increasing mass education is also highlighted. The high economic returns to education are documented and then an explanation sought for why the whole world is not more educated, given the large economic returns to education. The divergence in income per capita across the world is contrasted with the relative convergence in human capital.
- Type
- Chapter
- Information
- The Cambridge Economic History of the Modern World , pp. 329 - 355Publisher: Cambridge University PressPrint publication year: 2021
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