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Heckman Curve

The Heckman Curve, developed by Nobel laureate James Heckman, illustrates that the economic returns on investing in human capital are highest during early childhood and decline significantly as individuals age.

Early interventions, such as preschool education and family support, build foundational cognitive and non-cognitive skills that make subsequent learning more efficient.

From an economic perspective, funding early years development acts as a highly effective supply-side policy, correcting market failure by yielding compounding long-term benefits in productivity, health, and social stability.