Impact of Public Education Expenditures on Economic Growth in Morocco: An ARDL Approach

Abstract

In this article, we analyze the impact of public education spending on economic growth in Morocco from 1975 to 2022, using the (Auto-Regressive Distributed Lag) ARDL econometric model in Eviews 13 software. The study examines the relationship between education expenditures and GDP growth, incorporating key variables such as gross fixed capital formation (GFCF), population growth rate, inflation, and primary completion rate. Grounded in endogenous growth and post-Keynesian theories, this research explores how education, as an investment in human capital, influences productivity and growth. The findings highlight contrasting impacts: a significant negative effect in the short term, attributed to structural inefficiencies and maturation delays, and an absence of significant long-term impact due to institutional limitations and a mismatch with economic needs. The study underscores the importance of deep reforms to maximize the economic benefits of education spending in Morocco.

JEL Classification: H52, O40, C32, I25.

Paper type: Empirical research