AN EVALUATION OF EFFECTS OF PUBLIC SPENDING ON HUMAN DEVELOPMENT IN SRI LANKA

Abstract

Development is a complex and a multi-dimensional process involving reorganization and re-orientation of the entire economic and social system and presently known as human development.   Sri Lanka was able to achieve higher level of human development over the last five decades. This study was intended to search the real factors which influenced for higher human development in Sri Lanka. Extensive data were collected from secondary sources which were used for the macro level analysis. Literacy rate, life expectancy at birth and child and maternal mortality rates were used as dependent variables in the study while independent variables were the availability of government schools, availability of free uniforms & books, the infrastructure availability, family income, immunization programs availability, availability of clinical services, mother’s educational level, government hospital availability and personnel spending on medicine. The findings of the study revealed that both public spending and personal spending directly improves the educational output and the health sector outcomes. Even the per capita is low all most all individuals spend substantial amount of money specially on education is mainly due to the unique values of Sri Lankan society.

Keywords: Human Development, Public Spending, Literacy rate, Life expectancy, Mortality rates


For full paper: fmscresearch@sjp.ac.lk