Abstract:

The relationships between higher education and sustainable development were tested for 25 Portuguese Regions from 2009 to 2018. To do so, a regional sustainable development index that copes with human development and ecological efficiency was created. After, the relationships between higher education and the sustainable development index were analysed through three estimators: a panel Ordinary Least Squares estimator with Random Effects; a panel-corrected standard error estimator; and a Driscoll and Kraay standard errors estimator. Robust and stable results were found across the three estimators. Higher education revealed to positively impact on sustainable development. Accordingly, the actual path of investment in higher education will most likely improve the sustainable development levels. Further sustainable development inequalities were observed. It is therefore necessary that policymakers focus not only on the Portuguese convergence with the European levels, but also focus on the regional convergence.

Keywords:

Higher Education, Sustainable Development, Panel Data.