Developments in economics of education research

The significant upsurge in economics of education research that has occurred over the last 10 to 15 years is discussed, together with reasons as to why. Education impacting more on economic outcomes, methodological innovations, access to rich new data sources and an increased demand for evidence based education policy are highlighted. The paper concludes that because these are the factors that have driven the increased volume of research, the increased interest is not a research fad, nor a transitory blip, but an area producing work often of high relevance to education policy and seems likely to be sustained for some time to come.