Education Corruption, Reform, and Growth: Case of Post-Soviet Russia

Abstract

This paper investigates a possible impact of education corruption on economic growth in Russia. It argues that high levels of education corruption may harm total factor productivity in the long run, primarily through lowering the level of human capital and slowing down the pace of its accumulation. Ethical standards learned in the process of training in universities can also affect the standards of practice in different professions. The growing level of productivity is not likely to reduce education corruption in the short run, but can eventually lead to implementation of higher ethical standards in the education sector.

Keywords: corruption, education, growth, reform, Russia, transition

JEL Classification: E24, K42, P21, P37