Discussion Paper

Human Capital and Education in Puerto Rico


Abstract: Educational attainment is an important element of human capital; however a series of recent papers highlights the crucial role of the quality of education?which determines the skills actually learned, rather than the number of years spent in a classroom?as a main driver of growth. In fact, Hanushek and Woessmann argue that the importance of more appropriately measuring skills is seen in the very tight relationship between quality of skills, or knowledge capital, and growth. Moreover, the researchers state, ?The knowledge capital?growth relationship suggests little mystery for East Asia, Latin America, or other regions: Growth rates are accounted for by cognitive skills.? Similarly, ?Considering knowledge capital dramatically increases our ability to account for differences in growth.?

Keywords: Education; Puerto Rico; Human Capital;

JEL Classification: Q1; R1;

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Bibliographic Information

Provider: Federal Reserve Bank of New York

Part of Series: Liberty Street Economics

Publication Date: 2016-08-11

Number: 20160811