GOVERNANCE AND HUMAN CAPITAL DEVELOPMENT IN ANGOLA: CONTEMPORARY CHALLENGES AND PERSPECTIVES IN EDUCATION, SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY, HEALTH, AND SOCIAL WELL-BEING

Abstract

Human capital development is a strategic driver for sustainable economic growth and the reduction of inequalities in Angola, encompassing education, science, technology and innovation (STI), health, and social well-being, all strongly influenced by the quality of governance. This study aimed to empirically examine the relationship between governance indicators and human capital performance, identifying structural constraints and potential levers for intervention. A quantitative approach was adopted, based on microdata from Afrobarometer round 9 (n = 3,000), collected in Angola between August and September 2022, processed through data cleaning, sampling weight adjustments, and multivariate and multilevel statistical analyses conducted between 2023 and 2024, complemented by series from the National Institute of Statistics (INE, 2019–2024). Dependent variables included objective indicators (literacy, child stunting, access to technological infrastructure) and perceptual measures (Perceived Governance Index – PGI). The findings reveal substantial deficits: national functional illiteracy rate of 21%, stunting prevalence among under-five children at 31%, moderate/severe food insecurity in 35% of households, and regular internet access limited to 29% of the population. Regression models indicate that variations in PGI are positively and significantly associated with educational performance (β = 2.85; p < 0.001) and access to essential services (OR = 1.38; p < 0.001). Localised progress, such as expanded vaccination coverage and adult literacy programmes, suggests that targeted, integrated, and evidence-based policies can generate structural impacts when accompanied by robust monitoring mechanisms.