Tillgång och konkurrens. Etablering av fristående gymnasieskolor på den svenska skolmarknaden

Abstract

This thesis analyzes the determinants of entry of independent upper secondary schools following the Swedish school reform, introduced in 1992. We have used a cumulative logistic distribution function to find what characterizes municipalities that have at least one independent upper secondary school in 2016. During this time period a new equilibrium in the school market appears to have been established. We also complement this analysis by examining the entry process. We investigate what characterizes municipalities that received at least one upper secondary school between 2008 - 2010. We find that number of pupils in the municipality is the key factor that attracts establishment of these schools. Furthermore, our findings indicate that income inequality within a municipality increases the probability of independent school entry, raising concerns that the school law demanding equal opportunity to good education is not fulfilled. We also find that lower population density seems to attract independent upper secondary schools.