Influence of public investment in education and monetary poverty on the illiteracy rate in Peru, 2007–2024

Quispe Mamani J.C.; Aguilar Pinto S.L.; Calcina Álvarez D.A.; Flores Flores R.A.; Yapuchura Saico C.R.; Quenta R.C.; Ulloa Gallardo N.J.; Guevara Mamani M.; Huarca Flores P.; Caceres Bustinza L.M.; Valle Terrazas R. · Frontiers in Political Science (2026) · DOI: 10.3389/fpos.2026.1776164

Resumen

Introduction – In Peru, in recent decades, the State has shown efforts to increase public investment in education and reduce levels of monetary poverty; However, the illiteracy rate persists as a structural problem that especially affects rural populations, women, children and the elderly. The objective was to determine the influence of public investment in education and monetary poverty on the literacy rate in Peru, 2007-2024. Methods – A quantitative approach was used, explanatory and with a non-experimental descriptive and correlational design, based on econometric models of panel data applied to departmental information. Results – It was determined that public investment in education has a negative and statistically significant effect on the literacy rate, which confirms that greater state funding contributes to reducing educational gaps between departments; The monetary poverty index has a positive and significant relationship with illiteracy, showing that poverty is one of the main structural barriers to access to education, especially in regions with greater socioeconomic vulnerability. Discussions – Factors related to social well-being, such as chronic disease in households and the accumulation of human capital as measured by the average years of schooling, significantly influence literacy levels. Therefore, the reduction of illiteracy requires comprehensive public policies that strengthen educational investment and articulate strategies for poverty reduction, social protection and access to health services to reduce regional inequalities. Copyright

Instituciones: Universidad Nacional de San Antonio Abad del Cusco; Universidad Nacional del Altiplano; Universidad Nacional Amazónica de Madre de Dios; Universidad Nacional Micaela Bastidas de Apurímac; Universidad Católica de Santa María