Who's not in school? Economic barriers to universal primary education in Papua New Guinea

Abstract

Many studies recommend making primary education the priority investment in developing countries because of its impact on economic growth and other development goals. Yet few developing countries achieve universal primary education despite numerous international commitments to this goal. This study focuses on Papua New Guinea, where over one-quarter of children are out of school. Household survey data are used to see the effect of individual, household and community characteristics on whether or not a child attends primary school. Increases in household income and in men's education raise both boys' and girls' enrolments (slightly favouring girls) but women's education has a significant impact only on girls' schooling. Even after controlling for observable factors, girls' enrolments lag behind those of boys and have significant unexplained differences across regions.