La oferta de los programas de maestrías para economistas: análisis comparativo de Perú y Ecuador

Abstract

Abstract: Higher education constitutes an essential pillar for the economic, social, and technological development of countries, as it strengthens the formation of advanced human capital. This study presents a comparative evaluation of specialized master s programs in Economics in Ecuador and Peru, considering their relationship with Gross Value Added (GVA) as an indicator of regional economic development. The research adopts a quantitative approach with a descriptive and comparative scope and applies a documentary research design based on secondary data from official sources. The main findings indicate that the academic offer is territorially concentrated in regions with higher levels of economic activity in both countries. In Peru, the department of Lima accounts for 41.37% of national GVA and hosts half of the master s programs in Economics. In Ecuador, the provinces of Pichincha and Guayas together represent more than 55% of national GVA and concentrate the largest number of programs. The study concludes that the expansion of graduate-level education in Economics depends on structural factors such as the size of the educational market, institutional capacity, and funding availability. These findings provide relevant inputs for educational planning and the formulation of postgraduate policies aimed at promoting university decentralization, academic diversification, and territorial equity in access to higher education.