Regional disparities in multi-tiered educational resources and their socioeconomic impacts in China

doi:10.7523/j.ucas.2026.003

Abstract

Abstract: Education constitutes the foundation of national development, with investment in education at all levels holding paramount significance. This study examines China's educational system holistically and through its three-tier structure (primary, secondary, and higher education), establishing econometric models to analyze the relationship between regional investment in education at different levels and economic growth after mapping geographical disparities in educational funding. Key findings indicate: 1) China's education system is transitioning toward quality enhancement in basic education alongside higher education expansion, accelerating the shift from "demographic dividend" to "talent dividend"; 2) Severe spatial disparities and resource misallocation necessitate optimized resource distribution; 3) High-value clusters of average education duration exhibit "contiguous corridors punctuated by core-city clusters," while western regions and non-provincial-capital cities demonstrate lower educational attainment; 4) Education expenditure generates both short-term consumption effects and long-term investment effects, with the latter exerting stronger economic growth impacts; 5) Higher and secondary education drive more substantial growth effects, while primary education—though limited in direct economic returns—forms the essential foundation for secondary and tertiary education.

Key words: education investment, fiscal expenditure, regional disparities, economic growth

CLC Number:

LI Jiaming, TIAN Maotan, LIU Jiachuan. Regional disparities in multi-tiered educational resources and their socioeconomic impacts in China[J]. Journal of University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, DOI: 10.7523/j.ucas.2026.003.

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