Human Development in Iraq

4Education

Education is central to any discussion of human development. Because it is mostly (but not exclusively) the young who acquire education, the impact of the expansion of educational capabilities is substantial in developing countries, like Iraq, where a large portion of the population is under 15 years old.¹ The capacity to read and write is desirable in itself. But, education also raises labor productivity, incomes, and hence the command over goods and services, and allows one to participate more fully in society.

Because of the relative scarcity of education and skills in developing countries, the social rate of return to education typically exceeds those in developed nations. The subsidization of education is therefore highly desirable ...