Effects of Population Size and Education on Innovation

Farrokh Mostafavi

Abstract

Some researchers posit that population size has a positive relation with innovation and production and use of knowledge, and that population growth will lead to increase in innovation. Research shows that education quality is positively associated with innovation. This paper is concerned with the effects of population size and education on innovation. Data used are related to information on 46 countries which are acquired from various sources, including the World Bank, United Nations, World Intellectual Property Organization, and Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development. Negative Binomial Regression model is used to analyze data. Results indicate that education quality has a positive and signification association with innovation. No significant association, however, between population size and innovation was found. From a policy point of view, investment in education quality can enhance creativity and innovation, and play an effective role in solving problems of economic and social development and population growth. Journal of Population Association of Iran, 2015, 10(19): 45-61. Click here to get the paper.