中国高等教育生均教育经费:低水平、慢增长、不均衡

The Average Expenditure Per Student in China's Higher Education:Low Level, Sluggish Growth and Horizontal Imbalance

对2004—2013年间中国普通高等教育生均教育经费水平进行实证分析和国际比较发现,中国高教生均教育经费虽不断提高,但实际增长速度缓慢,并且缺乏连续性及稳定性;中国高教生均教育经费远低于发达国家水平,与中等收入国家相比也没有优势,同时在经费利用效率上与发达国家相比有一定差距;在校际差异方面,中央属普通高校这一指标明显高于地方属普通高校;在区域差异方面,省际差异虽不大,但东部与中西部地区的差异巨大。由此可见,中国高教生均经费存在着水平较低、增长过慢、利用效率低、校际配置与地区分配不均衡等问题。加大投入力度,进行拨款与管理体制改革,促进校际与区域均衡发展,刻不容缓。

By analysis of official statistical data from 2004-2013, this paper finds that although keeping in growth, the real growth rate of the average expenditure per student in China＇s higher education is actually very low, and the growth is lack of continuity and stability. In international comparison, the average expenditure per student in China is not only far lower than in developed countries, but also uncompetitive among middle-income countries. Besides, there is a huge gap on expenditure utilization efficiency between China and developed countries. As far as inter-school disparity is concerned, the expenditure per student in central-government-affiliated universities is considerably higher than in locally affiliated universities. In terms of regional imbalance,while provincial disparity remains low, there is a great gap between Eastern and Western regions. Overall, the average expenditure per student in China＇s higher education is facing problems of low level, sluggish growth and imbalance. Hence, it is urgent for the government to intensify investment, reform the management institutions of appropriation, and promote balanced development across schools and regions.