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Inequality of opportunity in educational achievement in Western Europe: contributors and channels

Author

Listed:
  • Gustavo A. Marrero

    (Universidad de la Laguna (Spain), IUDR and CEDESOG, and EQUALITAS)

  • Juan C. Palomino

    (Universidad Complutense de Madrid (Spain), INET Oxford and EQUALITAS)

  • Gabriela Sicilia

    (Universidad de la Laguna (Spain) and CEDESOG)

Abstract

We study the contribution of students’ circumstances to inequality of opportunity in educational achievement (IOpE) in Western Europe and explore the role of intermediate channelling variables in translating differences in circumstances into educational inequalities. Using the 2018 Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA) database, we find that differences in households’ cultural environment and in parental occupation are the most important contributing circumstances, with school’s circumstances being relevant mostly in Central Europe. Our results show that the relevant channels of IOpE in most countries are students’ educational and occupational expectations, their reading habits and skills, and grade repetition in previous years. These findings can provide policymakers with key insights to aid in designing educational interventions that effectively increase educational opportunities across European countries.

Suggested Citation

  • Gustavo A. Marrero & Juan C. Palomino & Gabriela Sicilia, 2024. "Inequality of opportunity in educational achievement in Western Europe: contributors and channels," The Journal of Economic Inequality, Springer;Society for the Study of Economic Inequality, vol. 22(2), pages 383-410, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:joecin:v:22:y:2024:i:2:d:10.1007_s10888-023-09595-5
    DOI: 10.1007/s10888-023-09595-5
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Educational achievement; Inequality of opportunity; Channels of transmission; Western Europe;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • D63 - Microeconomics - - Welfare Economics - - - Equity, Justice, Inequality, and Other Normative Criteria and Measurement
    • I24 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Education - - - Education and Inequality
    • I28 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Education - - - Government Policy
    • O52 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Economywide Country Studies - - - Europe

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