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I've never understood why toilet stalls aren't built with floor-to-ceiling walls in the first place. It's probable even cheaper to build than the partitions they use.
First, it seems that public restrooms aren't built for utter privacy and secrecy, but merely dignity, and blocking out the main parts suffices for that.

They're public spaces, so it's sort of helpful that I can detect someone using a stall, rather than walking in on them. At least I feel OK if someone couldn't lock that broken door (happens so often!) that I'm not barging in unbidden. There are often parents with young children who may put them in a stall and wait outside. (Not at a place of employment, but...) It's good that they still have some contact through that door.

Also, ventilation, right? A completely enclosed space with a tight door is going to get smelly, and that's not easy to clean or maintain. A partly-open stall is going to exchange air with the rest of the room, for better or for worse!

It's a ventilation and safety thing.
also lets a mop get everywhere, and reduces water damage.
The only advantage I can see for stalls is that if your stall runs out of toilet paper you can beg the person in the next stall to pass you a roll under the partition.

Ventilation? Why not use fans?

Ease of maintenance? If ease of maintenance instead of user experience were the driving factor in software development, we would all still be using command-line applications exclusively. Shouldn't the "user experience" be the driving factor in bathroom design too?

Safety and security? Even toilet stalls have locks. Does anyone NOT lock their stall while using it?