Female Education and the Convergence of Under-Five Mortality in the European Union
Keywords:
women’s education, sustainable development, child survival, regional cohesion, social inequalityAbstract
Objectives: This study examines whether female education contributes to reducing disparities in under-five mortality across European Union member states.
Prior Work: Existing research identifies female education as an important determinant of child health and development, but its role in reducing cross-country health disparities remains underexplored.
Approach: Using annual data for 2000–2023, the study applies a dynamic panel model with fixed effects to test beta convergence in under-five mortality and assess the influence of female education on convergence dynamics.
Results: The findings indicate convergence in under-five mortality across member states. However, female education does not significantly affect the speed of convergence, and no consistent regional differences are observed between Central and Eastern European countries and other member states.
Implications: Educational expansion alone may be insufficient to reduce health disparities without broader institutional and socioeconomic support.
Value: The paper contributes to research on sustainable development, education, and health inequality by examining the relationship between female education and mortality convergence within the European integration process.
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