Does government spending on education increase intergenerational education mobility? The case of free compulsory basic education in Ghana
This paper examines whether Ghana’s education reforms have increased intergenerational education mobility.
Abstract
This paper examines whether Ghana’s education reforms have increased intergenerational education mobility. The authors track intergenerational education mobility trends for cohorts born between 1958 and 1992. Their findings suggest that while free and compulsory education expanded access, structural inequalities continue to limit equal opportunities.
This research is part of the Gender, Growth and Labour Markets in Low-Income Countries programme.
Citation
Branson N and Whitelaw E. ‘Does government spending on education increase intergenerational education mobility? The case of free compulsory basic education in Ghana’ G2LM LIC Working Paper 98, 2026