I'd like to answer this from personal experience as someone who worked in poverty alleviation and international development for close to two decades. I think that the impact of a basic, comprehensive high school education on an individual's ability to rise out of poverty is profound. It isn't merely that they are more employable, it is that this education forms attitudes and a worldview that is more conductive to responding effectively to a challenge or obstacle. While higher education undoubtedly makes a person more employable, I've frequently encountered situations where this does not then simply translate to alleviating poverty or fostering growth at the societal level. Why? Because it is simply human nature to leave an impoverished environment in search of more money, when one's education level allows it. I do believe education is a vital precursor to poverty alleviation, but the relationship is a complex one.

In some ways this is a chicken and egg situation, there is no doubt that education tends to improve in countries as they get richer. However, social mobility depends in many cases on educational opportunities. Studies show that for every year of schooling, 10% is added to an adult's salary. An educate populace will also attract industries which need a skilled workforce. relying on outsourcing of unskilled labour at low rates of pay can only benefit the economy of poorer countries up to a certain ceiling. Beyond that, to attract industries that can pay higher wages and support expanding middle classes, education is vital. Growth alone won't create such an education unless the country who is experiencing that growth chooses to invest its dividends as such.

One increasingly observed aspect of education is its ability to empower women to take control of their lives and make dcisions for themselves. This very often leads to reduced family sizes, something that can both profit the economy (in the short term) and reduce pressure on an increasingly populated world.