Human capital and social inequalities in higher education on a regional basis in Poland Cover Image

Kapitał ludzki a nierówności społeczne w szkolnictwie wyższym w ujęciu regionalnym w Polsce
Human capital and social inequalities in higher education on a regional basis in Poland

Author(s): Katarzyna Woźniak
Subject(s): Economy, Education, Higher Education , State/Government and Education, Human Resources in Economy
Published by: Polskie Towarzystwo Ekonomiczne w Zielonej Górze
Keywords: social inequalities; human capital; education; investment in human capital; higher education

Summary/Abstract: Education as a factor affecting social structure is one of the key investments in human capital. An important determinant of disparities in living standards of society is held education. Higher education plays an important role in shaping the quality of human capital unit, which in the future is determined by, among others, wages, and consequently also affects economic development. The article attempts to identify differences in the quality of human capital in the field of higher education on a regional basis in Poland and the relationship existing between inequities in education and the level of economic development of the regions surveyed. A means of achieving their objective is to review the literature and statistical data published by national and international institutions. The article consists of two parts, theoretical and empirical. In the theoretical part presents the concept and key aspects of the evolution of social inequalities in education and the main relationship between social inequalities and human capital. On the other hand, in the empirical part based on selected indicators we present an analysis of social inequalities in the field of higher education in the various regions in Poland. Review and analysis of the data collected made it possible to identify disparities and assess the level of social inequality in higher education in the various regions in Poland, as well as to formulate the most important conclusions of the study area.

  • Issue Year: 3/2016
  • Issue No: 4
  • Page Range: 288-301
  • Page Count: 14
  • Language: Polish