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Causal Effects of Education on Marriage

Author

Listed:
  • Ahn, Kunwon

    (Korea Labor Institute)

  • Winters, John V.

    (Iowa State University)

Abstract

Many nations have experienced both rising education levels and declining marriage rates. However, cross-sectional comparisons within countries often indicate that more highly educated individuals are more likely to be married. Economic theory suggests ambiguous causal effects of education on marriage. This study uses a novel instrumental variable approach and finds that education decreases the probability of being married for younger persons but not for older persons. However, education increases the probability of never marrying even by ages 45-54. Education also reduces the likelihood of being divorced or separated, which partially offsets effects on being never married in overall marriage rates.

Suggested Citation

  • Ahn, Kunwon & Winters, John V., 2025. "Causal Effects of Education on Marriage," IZA Discussion Papers 17665, Institute of Labor Economics (IZA).
    • Handle: RePEc:iza:izadps:dp17665
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    marriage; education; human capital; instrumental variables;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • I20 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Education - - - General
    • J12 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demographic Economics - - - Marriage; Marital Dissolution; Family Structure
    • J24 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demand and Supply of Labor - - - Human Capital; Skills; Occupational Choice; Labor Productivity

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