Education as a dimension of human development: A Provincial-level Education Index for Ecuador

Abstract

This article deepens in the differences in educational development between the Ecuadorian provinces and in their evolution over time by estimating the Provincial-level Education Index. This index is built using the micro-databases of the two latest rounds of the Ecuador`s Living Standards Measurement Survey (2005–2006 and 2013–2014). The results show an overall increase in the educational development of the Ecuadorian provinces, as well as a slight reduction in inequality. However, differences between them continue to exist. Underlying our results, which are consistent with the provincial production structure and socioeconomic context, some public policies seem to affect the educational sector, as their impact has been evidenced during the period covered in this research.