Education Policy Reforms and Their Impact on Economic Development

Abstract

This study examines the relationship between education policy reforms and economic development by addressing the central question of how reforms in education systems contribute to long-term economic growth. In the context of growing global interest in linking education with sustainable development, the paper explores the role of quality improvements, teacher capacity, curriculum modernization, and equitable access as drivers of economic transformation. Using a systematic literature review of studies published over a five-year period, the analysis synthesizes findings from cross-country evidence, panel data analyses, and institutional reports. The review shows that reforms focusing on teacher professional development, curriculum relevance, and equitable access produce stronger and more sustained impacts on productivity, innovation, and income growth than reforms limited to expanding enrollment. The discussion highlights how these reforms interact with broader socio-economic factors such as governance, institutional capacity, and regional disparities, which either amplify or constrain their effects.