Abstract
This
paper analyses the long-term evolution of public spending on education in
Italy. After presenting a historical overview of the Italian school system, we
analyse the trend of public expenditure on education from the Unification of
Italy up to the present day, comparing it with other items of public
expenditure, in particular social expenditure. We also explore a long-term
comparison of expenditure on education between some European countries. Our
analysis seems to suggest extremely clear policy implications. Expenditure on
the social system appears to be too high compared to expenditure on education,
for this reason rebalancing intervention seems necessary.
JEL classification numbers: H1, H5, I00.
Keywords: Government expenditure, Italian school system.