Rising Tides of Knowledge: Exploring China’s Higher Education Landscape and Human Capital Growth

Shumei Xiao (), Jun Sheng () and Guangtao Zhang ()
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Shumei Xiao: Yangzhou Polytechnic College
Jun Sheng: Yangzhou Polytechnic College
Guangtao Zhang: Yangzhou Polytechnic College

Journal of the Knowledge Economy, 2025, vol. 16, issue 1, No 154, 4392-4421

Abstract: Abstract This study examines the status of human capital in China’s higher education system by analyzing the quantity of higher education institutions as a metric. The results show a general enhancement in human capital in all regions, along with an optimized structure. This is demonstrated by a decline in the primary education demographic, a consistent growth in secondary education, and a rapid surge in the higher education demographic. The percentage of junior college students has remained steady, whereas the ratios of undergraduate and graduate students have been consistently increasing. The Malmquist index method is used to analyze changes in total factor productivity (TFP) among provinces and regions by breaking it down into technical level and efficiency changes. From 2005 to 2010, there was a general increase in total factor productivity (TFP) and technical proficiency, although technical efficiency showed only slight enhancement. TFP and technical level growth decelerated from 2011 to 2020, while technical efficiency stayed above 1. These findings indicate that China’s total factor productivity (TFP) growth is mainly driven by technological advancements, with minimal improvements in technical efficiency.

Keywords: Higher education expansion; Regional disparities; Technological advancements; Human capital development; Economic growth; Policy implication (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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DOI: 10.1007/s13132-024-02102-9

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