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Birth Order, Socioeconomic Background and Educational Attainment

Author

Listed:
  • Andra Hiriscau

    (Department of Economics, William & Mary)

  • Mihaela Pintea

    (Department of Economics, Florida International University)

Abstract

This paper examines the effect of birth order on educational attainment in the United States and the underlying mechanism producing these effects. Using a family fixed effects model, we find negative birth order effects on educational outcomes. However, this effect varies depending on the household's income, being the strongest for households with the highest income and diminishing as households' income decreases. In addition, we show that the timing of income across childhood is important for completed education, as the largest gap in educational attainment between siblings emerges between those who were born and spent their early childhood in wealthier households.

Suggested Citation

  • Andra Hiriscau & Mihaela Pintea, 2022. "Birth Order, Socioeconomic Background and Educational Attainment," Working Papers 2203, Florida International University, Department of Economics.
    • Handle: RePEc:fiu:wpaper:2203
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    birth order; human capital development; household income; education;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • D1 - Microeconomics - - Household Behavior
    • I2 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Education
    • J1 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demographic Economics

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