Early Human Capital Investment and Economic Growth in Africa

Verena Tandrayen-Ragoobur (), Jason Narsoo () and Neha Devi Tengur
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Verena Tandrayen-Ragoobur: University of Mauritius
Jason Narsoo: University of Mauritius
Neha Devi Tengur: University of Mauritius

Chapter Chapter 3 in Careers in Africa, 2025, pp 39-60 from Springer

Abstract: Abstract This chapter revisits the human capital and economic growth nexus for Africa by analysing human capital via investment in early education and health. Africa has still much to do to take advantage of its human capital for development. Investment in education and health at an incipient stage of an individual’s life may have a greater impact on socio-economic development. The chapter investigates into the link between early human capital investments and economic growth in Africa. Data for 30 African countries from 2000 to 2021 is used to compute a combined health index while the measure of education is enrolment in primary education. The findings show primary-level schooling has a positive impact on economic development, whilst health indicators like neonatal mortality rate, the probability of death of a newborn baby before the age of five and the percentage of children under age five who suffer from stunting have negative growth effects. Investments in early education and health are important growth determinants for Africa.

Keywords: Early human capital investment; Primary education; Health; Economic growth; Africa (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:spr:sprchp:978-3-031-68214-8_3

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DOI: 10.1007/978-3-031-68214-8_3

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