Private finance and provision of health, education and water

For a number of reasons governments often finance and provide basic social services—basic health care, primary education, water and sanitation. One reason is that because such services are public goods, their market prices alone would not capture their intrinsic value and social benefits. Basic education benefits not only the individual who gains knowledge, it also benefits all members of society by improving health and hygiene behaviour and raising worker productivity.

Related Subject(s): Economic and Social Development