Human Capital Development and Inclusive Growth in Sub-Saharan Africa: The case for Health
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Abstract
This study examined the effect of human capital development on inclusive growth in SSA with a focus on the health dimension of human capital. Panel data from 20 SSA countries between 2000 and 2021 were used for the analysis. The study employed the General Method of Moment (GMM) and the Feasible Generalized Least Square estimation method to analyze the relationship between the variables of interest. The result showed that life expectancy at birth had a negative and significant effect on the inclusive growth index while public expenditure on health had a positive and significant effect on inclusive growth index. The study concluded that human capital development health dimension has a significant impact on inclusive growth in SSA. The study recommended that policy efforts toward achieving inclusive growth should focus on substantially increasing government spending on health. Policy efforts towards achieving inclusive growth should not focus only on improving the health of the population but also ensure that such citizens have equal opportunities for empowerment and welfare support.
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