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Youth-age characteristics as precursors of power couple formation and location choice

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  • Tano, Sofia
  • Nakosteen, Robert
  • Westerlund, Olle
  • Zimmer, Michael

Abstract

This paper extends the literature on highly educated “power” couples. Its objectives are twofold. First, it examines the extent to which precursors of power couple formation are evident in young people during their years of compulsory schooling. Second, we examine location choices at adult ages by accounting for youth-age characteristics in addition to adult-age power status. Using Swedish register data, we produce evidence that power couples evolve from matching of spouses who were high academic achievers during the schooling years. Regarding location choice, our results indicate that power couples are characterized by a disproportionate tendency to migrate from their regions of origin to large labour markets. The evidence also points to latent self selection in both spouse matching and location choice.

Suggested Citation

  • Tano, Sofia & Nakosteen, Robert & Westerlund, Olle & Zimmer, Michael, 2018. "Youth-age characteristics as precursors of power couple formation and location choice," Labour Economics, Elsevier, vol. 52(C), pages 98-111.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:labeco:v:52:y:2018:i:c:p:98-111
    DOI: 10.1016/j.labeco.2018.04.005
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    Cited by:

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    2. Eliasson, Kent & Westerlund, Olle, 2019. "Graduate migration, self-selection and urban wage premiums across the regional hierarchy," Umeå Economic Studies 962, Umeå University, Department of Economics.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Power couples; Migration; Location choice; Spouse selection;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • I21 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Education - - - Analysis of Education
    • J11 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demographic Economics - - - Demographic Trends, Macroeconomic Effects, and Forecasts
    • 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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