Sequential educational expansion, equality, and growth in the Republic of Korea

It is a well-known fact that the Republic of Korea has followed a rapid growth path since the 1960s. This successful growing experience was accom- panied by the maintenance of a moderate economic inequality level and the development of its educational system. Sequential expansion of education was one of the factors which explain how Korea was able to make economic growth and equality compatible. This paper argues that the sequential expansion strategy can still be a useful means for achieving higher growth rates while maintaining low inequality levels. To test this hypothesis, the expansion of upper secondary education is simulated using a partial equilibrium microsimulation model.