Numeracy development in Africa: New evidence from a long-term perspective (1730–1970)

Gabriele Cappelli and Joerg Baten

Journal of Development Economics, 2021, vol. 150, issue C

Abstract: Historical evidence of numeracy on the African continent since the 18th century is presented for the first time based on a panel dataset of 43 African countries covering the periods before, during and after colonialism (1730–1970). Estimates of numeracy draw on the age-heaping methodology: we carefully discuss the potential biases and sources of measurement error concerning the use of this index for long-term analyses. These new estimates enable us to gain a better understanding of long-term African development. We find that the evolution of numeracy over time correlates with differences in colonial education systems, even when controlling for other variables.

Keywords: Human capital; Africa; Colonial education systems; Numeracy; History (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: N37 O15 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2021
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Citations: View citations in EconPapers (4)

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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:eee:deveco:v:150:y:2021:i:c:s0304387821000079

DOI: 10.1016/j.jdeveco.2021.102630

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