This study examines the relationship between macroeconomic determinants and education levels in eight selected African oil-exporting countries (AOECs) over the period 2000–2022. Drawing on human capital theory, the paper scrutinizes the impact of factors such as income inequality, health outcome, economic growth, human development, unemployment, education expenditure, institutional quality, and energy consumption on education levels. Employing robust estimation techniques such as fixed effects (FE), random effects (RE), pooled mean group (PMG) and cross-section autoregressive distributed lag model (CS-ARDL), the study unveils vital static and dynamic interactions among these determinants and education levels. Findings reveal notable positive and significant connections between education levels and some of the variables—human capital development, institutional quality, government expenditure on education, and energy consumption, while income inequality demonstrates a consistent negative relationship. Unexpectedly, health outcomes exhibit a negative impact on education levels, warranting further investigation. Furthermore, the analysis deepens understanding of long-run and short-run relationships, highlighting, for example, the contradictory impact of gross domestic product (GDP) and unemployment on education levels in AOECs. Finally, the study recommends targeted human development programs, enhanced public investment in education, institutional reforms for good governance, and sustainable energy infrastructure development.

Central Sulawesi has been grappling with significant challenges in human development, as indicated by its Human Development Index (HDI). Despite recent improvements, the region still lags behind the national average. Key issues such as high poverty rates and malnutrition among children, particularly underweight prevalence, pose substantial barriers to enhancing the HDI. This study aims to analyze the impact of poverty, malnutrition, and household per capita income on the HDI in Central Sulawesi. By employing panel data regression analysis over the period from 2018 to 2022, the research seeks to identify significant determinants that influence HDI and provide evidence-based recommendations for policy interventions. Utilizing panel data regression analysis with a Fixed Effect Model (FEM), the study reveals that while poverty negatively influences with HDI, underweight prevalence is not statistically significant. In contrast, household per capita income significantly impacts HDI, with lower income levels leading to declines in HDI. The findings emphasize the need for comprehensive policy interventions in nutrition, healthcare, and economic support to enhance human development in the region. These interventions are crucial for addressing the root causes of underweight prevalence and poverty, ultimately leading to improved HDI and overall well-being. The originality of this research lies in its focus on a specific region of Indonesia, providing localized insights and recommendations that are critical for targeted policy making.