Development of the higher education market in the EU countries as a factor of human capital accumulation: experience for Ukraine

Abstract

The scientific and methodological approach to the analysis of the peculiarities of the higher education market functioning in the EU countries in the system of human capital formation is represented. The purpose is to identify the chief factors influencing the development of the higher education market in the EU countries from the standpoint of human capital accumulation, to form scientific and practical approaches to improve its functioning in the economy of Ukraine. The author has proposed: to carry out a comparative analysis of the dynamics of higher education market in the EU countries (2013-2019) and in Ukraine, to evaluate the indicators of variation of this market in general and by educational and vocational levels; to determine the system of correlations between the capacity of the higher education market in the EU countries and the set of economic and socio-demographic indicators of development by means of multiple regression analysis. Taking into account the human capital accumulation, it is established that the market of higher education in the EU countries is characterized by a number of structural features: focus on education in public higher education institutions with a slight trend to reduce the share of students enrolled in them in 2013-2019; differentiation by educational and vocational levels of higher education, public and private higher education institutions; sensitivity to the economic situation and the state of budget financing, demographic processes, the amount of household income, prospects for employment and career growth. In view of the EU countries experience, it is important for Ukraine to pay attention to improving the functioning of the market segment of higher education services, which includes public higher education institutions and create a favourable environment for private education institutions activities, public policy measures aimed at macroeconomic stability, development of the labour market and improvement of the financial situation of households.