O paradoxo do desenvolvimento no estado do Ceará: explorando a relação entre capital humano, pobreza e desigualdade econômica de 2012 a 2021

Abstract

The present study investigates the development paradox in the state of Ceará, which is reflected in significant educational advances without a corresponding reduction in poverty and inequality levels. Although the state ranks among the best in basic education performance in the country, poverty and inequality still persist. The main objective of the study is to analyze the impact of human capital on poverty and inequality, as well as the possible effects among these variables in the state of Ceará from 2012 to 2021. The modeling technique used is Structural Equation Modeling (SEM), a multivariate statistical technique that allows for the simultaneous estimation of direct and indirect causal relationships between endogenous and exogenous variables. The study adopts a quantitative approach, using secondary data collected from official sources such as IBGE, IPECE, and the Atlas of Human Development in Brazil. The results reveal that higher education attainment among the adult population does not have a direct impact on extreme poverty but shows an indirect effect mediated by the reduction of income inequality; this chain effect is the study's key finding. It is concluded that although human capital is essential for reducing poverty and inequality, it is not sufficient on its own, indicating that the paradox is a complex mechanism involving the equitable redistribution of opportunities and resources