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Compulsory Schooling Reforms, Education and Mortality in Twentieth Century Europe

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  • Gathmann, Christina

    (LISER)

  • Jürges, Hendrik

    (University of Mannheim)

  • Reinhold, Steffen

    (University of Mannheim)

Abstract

Education yields substantial non-monetary benefits, but the size of these gains is still debated. Previous studies, for example, report contradictory effects of education and compulsory schooling on mortality – ranging from zero to large mortality reductions. Using data from 19 compulsory schooling reforms implemented in Europe during the twentieth century, we quantify the mean mortality effect and explore its dispersion across gender, time and countries. We find that men benefit from compulsory education both in the shorter and longer run. In contrast, compulsory schooling reforms have little or no effect on mortality for women.

Suggested Citation

  • Gathmann, Christina & Jürges, Hendrik & Reinhold, Steffen, 2012. "Compulsory Schooling Reforms, Education and Mortality in Twentieth Century Europe," IZA Discussion Papers 6403, Institute of Labor Economics (IZA).
    • Handle: RePEc:iza:izadps:dp6403
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    education; compulsory schooling; mortality; Europe;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • I12 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Health - - - Health Behavior
    • I21 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Education - - - Analysis of Education
    • I28 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Education - - - Government Policy

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