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Comprehensive school reform and labor market outcomes over the lifecycle: Evidence from Finland

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  • Ollikainen, Jani-Petteri

Abstract

This study focused on the labor market effects of the Finnish comprehensive school reform in 1972–1977 over the lifecycle. The reform increased the age at which students are separated into vocational and general tracks from 11 to 16 as well as updated the curriculum to include more general content instead of vocational. Using longitudinal administrative register data and exploiting the gradual implementation of the reform, I found a negative effect on employment in early career and a positive effect later in the lifecycle. Results for labor earnings are more nuanced and sensitive to different model specifications, but a positive effect was found in the late career. After the reform, the treated were more likely to choose academic secondary education which could mediate the effects on employment. The results were similar for men and women.

Suggested Citation

  • Ollikainen, Jani-Petteri, 2021. "Comprehensive school reform and labor market outcomes over the lifecycle: Evidence from Finland," Labour Economics, Elsevier, vol. 68(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:labeco:v:68:y:2021:i:c:s0927537120301561
    DOI: 10.1016/j.labeco.2020.101952
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    Cited by:

    1. Rodríguez-González, Ana, 2021. "The Impact of the Female Advantage in Education on the Marriage Market," Working Papers 2021:5, Lund University, Department of Economics.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Comprehensive school; Vocational education; Employment; Earnings; Lifecycle;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • I21 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Education - - - Analysis of Education
    • I28 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Education - - - Government Policy
    • J24 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demand and Supply of Labor - - - Human Capital; Skills; Occupational Choice; Labor Productivity

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