Who benefits from public education expenditures?

In most countries, governments remain the largest financiers and providers of education. This note examines the evidence on the extent to which public expenditure on education have been effective in reaching the poor. The distribution of educational expenditures is inequitable, especially at the post--primary levels, where poor income groups are under--represented as compared with higher income groups. Targeted financing and a redefinition of the role of the government "vis--à--vis" the non--public sector can help achieve greater equity and efficiency. Copyright Institute of Economic Affairs 2003