Skip to main content
Access provided by

Curated by Project Syndicate

Education: The Brain Gain

172 commentaries

Education does not benefit only its recipients; it has a profound impact on national economic outcomes. Poor educational performance may be a determining factor in the inability of Latin American countries to rise from middle- to high-income status over the last 50 years. Likewise, education could explain why Singapore, South Korea, and Taiwan attained high-income status, while countries like Thailand, the Philippines, and Malaysia cannot complete the middle-income transition. Policymakers, economists, educators, and business leaders debate and advance innovative ideas about educational practice and policy.

Sort by: Show:
  1. America’s Childcare Is Unfit for the Postmodern Age
    ackerman2_Brian van der Brug Los Angeles Times via Getty Images_preschool Brian van der Brug / Los Angeles Times via Getty Images

    America’s Childcare Is Unfit for the Postmodern Age

    Apr 23, 2024 Bruce Ackerman urges US President Joe Biden to put universal preschool at the center of his re-election campaign.

  2. What Critics of American Higher Education Get Wrong
    tyson117_Eros HoaglandGetty Images_UScollege Eros Hoagland/Getty Images

    What Critics of American Higher Education Get Wrong

    Mar 19, 2024 Laura Tyson & Lenny Mendonca show that a college degree is still a wise investment and a key driver of economic mobility in America.

  3. For Nigeria’s Schools, Safety Must Come First
    brown106_KOLA SULAIMONAFP via Getty Images_nigeriaschool Kola Sulaimon/AFP via Getty Images

    For Nigeria’s Schools, Safety Must Come First

    Mar 15, 2024 Gordon Brown writes that the latest mass abduction of students underscores the dilemma facing parents throughout the country.

  4. A New Engine for Human Learning and Growth
    rajagopalan1 Getty Images

    A New Engine for Human Learning and Growth

    Mar 11, 2024 Shruti Rajagopalan explains what AI could do for India and many other countries in the Global South.

  5. Banking on the World Bank’s Knowledge
    saputra2_ADITYA AJIAFP via Getty Images_world bank mangrove ADITYA AJI/AFP via Getty Images

    Banking on the World Bank’s Knowledge

    Feb 28, 2024 Wempi Saputra identifies three areas in which the organization’s client countries could use more guidance.

  6. How to Finance Higher Education in Africa
    monga10MUHAMADOU BITTAYEAFP via Getty Images_senegal uni MUHAMADOU BITTAYE/AFP via Getty Images

    How to Finance Higher Education in Africa

    Feb 23, 2024 Célestin Monga proposes a mix of several funding streams to improve access to high-quality colleges and universities.

Our Pick

Featured

  1. elerian167_Michael M. SantiagoGetty Images_nyse Michael M. Santiago/Getty Images
    0

    Navigating Major Transitions in an Uncertain Economy

    Mohamed A. El-Erian explains how to recalibrate expectations in the face of yet another forecasting failure.
  2. brosda1_Matt CardyGetty Images_social media news Matt Cardy/Getty Images
    0

    Must Democratizing the Media Be Bad for Democracy?

    Carsten Brosda proposes a strategy to defend the digital public square against manipulation and algorithmic distortion.
  3. mazzucato66_Soumyabrata RoyNurPhoto via Getty Images_IndiaUPI Soumyabrata Roy/NurPhoto via Getty Images
    0

    Central Banks in a Cashless World

    Mariana Mazzucato & David Eaves explain why policymakers should become more involved in shaping or creating digital-payments infrastructure.
  4. nsofor9_ Zhu Huanan CFOTOFuture Publishing via Getty Images_hpv vaccine Zhu Huanan / CFOTO/Future Publishing via Getty Images
    0

    Governments Must Step Up to Prevent Cervical Cancer

    Ifeanyi M. Nsofor urges policymakers worldwide to commit to administering the HPV vaccine as widely as possible.
  5. op_ghilarducci1_Jeffrey GreenbergUniversal Images Group via Getty Images_USelderlyworker Jeffrey Greenberg/Universal Images Group via Getty Images
    1

    The Perils of Retirement in America

    Teresa Ghilarducci

    The US retirement system is failing American workers. But after decades of pushing fake fixes – especially forcing people to work longer – US policymakers have an opportunity to make real progress in bolstering Americans' economic security in old age.

     proposes a Grey New Deal that would boost economic security for all US workers in old age.
  6. nishtar8_AMAURY HAUCHARDAFP via Getty Images_africavaccine Amaury Hauchard/AFP via Getty Images
    0

    Fifty Years of Immunization Success Call for 50 More

    Sania Nishtar touts the remarkable results of global collaboration on routine vaccination and foresees continued progress.
  7. GettyImages-2149550584 Photo by MARK PETERSON/POOL/AFP via Getty Images
    0

    Trump on Trial

    From a long list of criminal indictments to unfavorable voter demographics, there is plenty standing between presumptive GOP nominee Donald Trump and a second term in the White House. But a Trump victory in the November election remains a distinct possibility – and a cause for serious economic concern.

  8. woods56_Alex WongGetty Images_georgieva Alex Wong/Getty Images
    0

    The IMF Chose the Right Leader the Wrong Way

    Ngaire Woods thinks the Fund’s process for selecting its managing director is woefully out of step with today’s world.
  9. bildt122_Mikhail SvetlovGetty Images_trumpputin Mikhail Svetlov/Getty Images
    0

    Trump Is Putin’s Only Hope Now

    Carl Bildt considers the implications of Ukraine finally receiving the Western military aid it has been waiting for.

Edit Newsletter Preferences

Set up Notification

To receive email updates regarding this {entity_type}, please enter your email below.

If you are not already registered, this will create a PS account for you. You should receive an activation email shortly.