Condemned to low educational capital? Temporal-spatial transformation of the educational structure in Slovakia and possible determinants of spatial differentiation

Abstract

The last three decades have brought a historically unique qualitative and quantitative transformation of Slovakia’s educational structure. Never in history have we identified such a dynamic inclination towards tertiary education. This applies especially to women, who, thanks to this, already achieve higher education than men in younger cohorts with completed educational paths. However, this transformation also results in significant spatial differences in the quality of education achieved. The question remains whether these differences are stable over time or, on the contrary, if a particular educational convergence is gradually occurring. The article aims to provide a detailed analysis of changes in the educational structure of the population in Slovakia’s districts based on the results of the 1991 and 2021 population censuses. Using more complex indicators to measure the overall educational structure of district populations, we will focus not only on the spatial distribution of educational capital but also on identifying undersized areas and their possible transformation over time. At the same time, we will identify potential factors behind these differences. We will focus not only on the length of study and the share of people studying, but also on selective migration, which in some districts of Slovakia may be an important determinant of brain drain and thus deepen their backwardness.