This study investigates the spatial distribution of educational inequality within the European Union (EU) using advanced spatial statistical techniques. Educational inequality poses a significant challenge to policymakers committed to ensuring equal opportunities for all EU citizens. By employing Exploratory Spatial Data Analysis (ESDA) methods, such as Local Moran's I and Local Geary statistics, this research examines tertiary educational attainment levels across EU regions. The study also incorporates the use of the LOWESS (Locally Weighted Scatterplot Smoothing) smoother in and the bivariate Moran's I statistic to provide a more nuanced understanding of the spatial relationships between multiple educational indicators. Data from Eurostat reveals pronounced spatial variations in higher education inequality, with ESDA techniques identifying clusters of regions with significant disparities in access to higher education. Spatial autocorrelation analysis quantifies the extent of spatial dependence, highlighting areas where similar levels of higher educational inequality are clustered. The findings indicate that regions with high levels of tertiary education are predominantly located in Northern and Western Europe, while lower levels are clustered in Southern and Eastern Europe. This research underlines the importance of spatial context in policy formulation and contributes to a deeper understanding of the geographical patterns of educational disparities within the EU. The results would have significant implications for regional policies aimed at reducing educational inequality and fostering social cohesion and economic growth within the EU.

Authors:
Andrea Furková, University of Economics in Bratislava, Slovakia

About the Presenter(s)
Dr Andrea Furková is a University Assistant Professor/Lecturer at University of Economics in Bratislava, Slovakia, Europe in Slovakia

See this presentation on the full schedule – Tuesday Schedule

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