SDGs and Inclusive Quality Education

Global Education and Income Inequality

• Primary and secondary education in Africa performing well, but tertiary education lags behind, particularly important for job opportunities.
• USA leads in university education enrollment, with the EU also showing significant growth, though regional disparities exist.
• China has seen rapid development in education since 2014, while Africa has shown an increase in education levels, albeit with low percentages and some countries experiencing a decrease.
• Large disparities in education access within countries, particularly in low-income and middle-income countries, contributing to income inequality.
• Gender gaps in education are narrowing globally, with Norway having more educated women than men, sparking discussions on the challenges faced by men in education.
• Disparities in access to basic facilities and quality teachers exist in African countries, with Mauritius showing better access compared to Cameroon, Chad, and Niger.
• Disparities in education quality are observed globally, with the USA, Switzerland, Japan, Singapore, and Canada topping the list, emphasizing the importance of quality education for innovation and international competition.
• Income inequality is rising due to globalization, technological change, and factors such as bargaining power and labor participation, with positive effects on growth and poverty reduction but also increased inequality.
• A study focuses on whether education helps reduce income inequality, considering factors such as endogeneity, persistence, and heterogeneity between countries and age groups.
• The human capital model suggests that education level and inequality affect income distribution, with education inequality increasing income inequality, particularly in high-income countries.
• Entrepreneurship is predominantly male-driven in high-income countries, with a need to stimulate female entrepreneurship and address non-cognitive skills and education in low-income countries.
• Tertiary education may not be sufficient on its own, and combining it with skills training is essential, particularly for women, with a need for well-targeted entrepreneurship programs. Additionally, education is not updated with technology, and there is a need for decentralized, quality education.