The relationship between public higher education expenditures and income distribution: An assessment for different income group countries

Although ensuring justice in income distribution is among the priority policies of countries, it is observed that income inequality is increasing at the global level. Many economic and social factors are effective in the increase of this inequality. The role of the public authority in the economy is an important factor in ensuring income distribution justice. The realization of public expenditures with pro-poor policies, the power of the state to intervene in order to protect the society against the risks that may arise in the process of finding solutions to the problems that may arise in the free market, and the ability to make the necessary public expenditures for this are important. This importance arises from the expectation that equality of opportunity and social justice will be achieved through public education expenditures, especially in developing countries. In the econometric analysis part of the research, which examines the relationship between public higher education expenditures and income distribution in high income group countries (YGU) and middle-high income group countries (OYGU), public higher education expenditures belonging to these country groups, national income per capita and Gini coefficient variables are used between 2005 and 2018. It was researched by panel data analysis method within the scope of the period. As a result of the research, the distorting effect of public higher education expenditures on income distribution justice in high income group countries has been determined. On the other hand, it has been determined that public expenditures on education in middle-high income group countries have a positive effect on income distribution. It is thought that it will make a positive contribution to the justice of income distribution, especially in developing countries, by increasing public higher education expenditures and ensuring equality of opportunity, creating an increase in the incomes of individuals belonging to the lower income group and decreasing the income gap between individuals.