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Zero Returns to Compulsory Schooling in Germany: Evidence and Interpretation

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  • Jörn-Steffen Pischke
  • Till von Wachter

Abstract

We estimate the impact of compulsory schooling on earnings using changes in compulsory schooling laws in West Germany after World War II. Most estimates in the literature indicate returns in the range of 10% to 15%. While our research design is very similar to studies for various other countries, we find a zero return. We find no evidence that this is due to labor market institutions or the apprenticeship training system in Germany. The result might be due to the fact that the basic skills most relevant for the labor market are learned earlier in Germany than in other countries. Copyright by the President and Fellows of Harvard College and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.
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Suggested Citation

  • Jörn-Steffen Pischke & Till von Wachter, 2006. "Zero Returns to Compulsory Schooling in Germany: Evidence and Interpretation," CEE Discussion Papers 0054, Centre for the Economics of Education, LSE.
    • Handle: RePEc:cep:ceedps:0054
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Education; Schooling;

    JEL classification:

    • I21 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Education - - - Analysis of Education
    • J24 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demand and Supply of Labor - - - Human Capital; Skills; Occupational Choice; Labor Productivity
    • J31 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Wages, Compensation, and Labor Costs - - - Wage Level and Structure; Wage Differentials

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