The Effect of Education and Macroeconomic Variables on Corruption Index in G20 Member Countries

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to analyze the effect of several macroeconomic variables consisting of gross domestic products (GDP) per capita, economic openness, government effectiveness index, inflation, and the level of education on the corruption index in G20 member countries. This study focused on the effect of education on the level of corruption in the G20 member countries by treating other macroeconomic variables as control variables that were not analyzed in depth. This research used mixed methods with multiple regression with two stage least square (2SLS) estimation method followed by phenomenological analysis. This study found that primary education enrolment and the lifelong learning index did not significantly influence the level of corruption for all G20 member countries, developed member countries, and developing member countries. Secondary education enrolment showed a negative and significant influence on the level of corruption in all categories of countries (all members, developing, and developed countries). Tertiary education enrolment had a negative and significant influence on the level of corruption in all members and developing countries, but had a positive influence in the developed countries. GDP per capita had a contrasting influence: negative and significant influence in the developed countries, but positive and significant influence in the developing countries. Similar to secondary education, the government effectiveness index had a negative and significant influence in all categories of countries (all members, developing, and developed countries). In contrast, inflation and economic openness had a positive and significant influence on the level of corruption, but only in developing countries. The policy implication of this study is the prioritization of secondary education to tackle corruption problems.

Controlling corruption in African countries: innovation, financial inclusion and access to education as alternative measures

“…Our results support the evidence found in previous studies by Hauser (2019), Kao et al . (2022) and Maria et al . (2021) that confirm that learning and education significantly reduce corruption.…”

“…In line with this, Sarwar and Hayat (2021) evidenced that education reduces violence and political instability improves the rule of law and economic growth. Maria et al (2021) showed that secondary education reduces corruption in G20 countries, developing countries and developed countries. In line with these studies, Dirwan (2019) concluded that preventive action against corruption through education is an important solution in Indonesia.…”

“…In line with this, Sarwar and Hayat (2021) evidenced that education reduces violence and political instability improves the rule of law and economic growth. Maria et al . (2021) showed that secondary education reduces corruption in G20 countries, developing countries and developed countries.…”

A corrupção no Brasil: Análise da transparência sob a ótica do setor da construção civil

“…Nos aspectos relacionados à educação, Maria et al (2021) investigaram a relação da educação primária, secundária e terciária nos níveis de corrupção dos países do G20. Os resultados da pesquisa expuseram que a educação de nível secundário pode ser considerada como prioritária em grau de atenção e investimentos, reduzindo significativamente a corrupção em países desenvolvidos e em desenvolvimento.…”

“…Em relação à variável Índice de Educação, assim como foi contatado na Hipótese 2, a educação contribui para com a transparência dos estados brasileiros e, consequentemente, para o combate da corrupção e redução dos seus índices. Esta afirmação se assemelha aos achados de Maria et al (2021), Ferraz, Finan & Moreira, (2012 e Asongu & Nwachukwu, (2015) ao afirmarem que a educação contribui para a redução das práticas da corrupção, uma vez que desenvolve uma mentalidade avessa aos conceitos da corrupção difundidos nos membros da sociedade, desde a fase infantil até a fase adulta. Ali & Isse (2003), Theobald (1990), Madanipour & Thompson (2020), Treisman (2000) e Tavares (2007), uma vez que consideram haver relação positiva entre a eficiência do sistema jurídico e a redução das práticas de corrupção, ou seja, um sistema jurídico eficiente na realização de seu propósito, coopera eficazmente no combate à corrupção na sociedade.…”