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Two-sample two-stage least squares (TSTSLS) estimates of earnings mobility: how consistent are they?

Author

Listed:
  • John Jerrim

    (University of London)

  • Álvaro Choi

    (Universitat de Barcelona & IEB)

  • Rosa Simancas Rodríguez

    (University of Extremadura)

Abstract

Academics and policymakers have shown great interest in cross-national comparisons of intergenerational earnings mobility. However, producing consistent and comparable estimates of earnings mobility is not a trivial task. In most countries researchers are unable to observe earnings information for two generations. They are thus forced to rely upon imputed data instead. This paper builds upon previous work by considering the consistency of the intergenerational correlation (?) as well as the elasticity (ß), how this changes when using a range of different instrumental (imputer) variables, and highlighting an important but infrequently discussed measurement issue. Our key finding is that, while TSTSLS estimates of ß and ? are both likely to be inconsistent, the magnitude of this problem is much greater for the former than it is for the latter. We conclude by offering advice on estimating earnings mobility using this methodology.

Suggested Citation

  • John Jerrim & Álvaro Choi & Rosa Simancas Rodríguez, 2014. "Two-sample two-stage least squares (TSTSLS) estimates of earnings mobility: how consistent are they?," Working Papers 2014/35, Institut d'Economia de Barcelona (IEB).
    • Handle: RePEc:ieb:wpaper:doc2014-35
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    Cited by:

    1. Paul Gregg & Ricky Kanabar, 2022. "Parental homeownership and education: the implications for offspring wealth inequality in GB," CEPEO Working Paper Series 22-01, UCL Centre for Education Policy and Equalising Opportunities, revised Jul 2023.
    2. Paul Gregg & Lindsey Macmillan & Claudia Vittori, 2017. "Moving Towards Estimating Sons' Lifetime Intergenerational Economic Mobility in the UK," Oxford Bulletin of Economics and Statistics, Department of Economics, University of Oxford, vol. 79(1), pages 79-100, February.
    3. Paul Gregg & Ricky Kanabar, 2023. "Intergenerational wealth transmission in Great Britain," Review of Income and Wealth, International Association for Research in Income and Wealth, vol. 69(4), pages 807-837, December.
    4. Álvaro Choi & María Gil & Mauro Mediavilla & Javier Valbuena, 2016. "Double toil and trouble: grade retention and academic performance," Working Papers 2016/7, Institut d'Economia de Barcelona (IEB).
    5. Pacini, David & Windmeijer, Frank, 2016. "Robust inference for the Two-Sample 2SLS estimator," Economics Letters, Elsevier, vol. 146(C), pages 50-54.
    6. Álvaro Choi & María Gil & Mauro Mediavilla & Javier Valbuena, 2016. "The evolution of educational inequalities in Spain: dynamic evidence from repeated cross-sections," Working Papers 2016/25, Institut d'Economia de Barcelona (IEB).

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Earnings mobility; two sample two stage least squares;

    JEL classification:

    • I20 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Education - - - General
    • I21 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Education - - - Analysis of Education
    • I28 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Education - - - Government Policy

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