Regionalne zróżnicowanie kształcenia we Francji w aspekcie rozwoju przedsiębiorczości departamentów zamorskich

Regional policy concerning territorial development of the country, while reducing disparities in regional development in France has existed for nearly half a century. It beginnings reach 1963 when DATAR – an institution coordinating regional development of France was established (Délégation à l'aménagement du territoire et à l'action régionale). Additionally, European institutions have started to work, particularly from the 90s of the 20th century, on implementing the cohesion policy at the regional levels.  Regional policy covers the entire territory of the Republic of France, including its former colonial territories of DOM: French overseas departments (départements d'outre-mer). DOM includes: Guadeloupe, French Guyana, Martinique and Reunion. These regions despite undertaken actions aiming at their economic development are still struggling with various issues. The most significant are the natural and historical constrains, economic dependence on France and the EU financial assistance, supremacy of agriculture, tourism and housing, unemployment and poverty of society and finally the social problems associated with multiculturalism. Actions undertaken by national and regional authorities are predominantly focused on developing the infrastructure and stimulating business development through knowledge transfer and investments in human capital. Recognizing the fact that investing in human is the most essential factor in the growth and socio-economic progress, the aim of this paper is to analyze regional differences in educational level and structure of the population of overseas and mainland France as well as its changes since the 90s basing on statistical data. The second part presents the regional comparison of the selected indicators of human capital development in the French economy with selected data showing the quantitative changes in the education of France.