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The heterogeneous impacts of business cycles on educational attainment

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  • Ernest Boffy-Ramirez

Abstract

This study examines the impact of fluctuations in the unemployment rate before high school graduation on educational attainment measured 30 years later. I find evidence that important heterogeneity is masked by estimating average effects across the ability distribution. Using data from the 1979 National Longitudinal Survey of Youth, this analysis identifies individuals who are on the boundary between pursuing and not pursuing additional education. Exposure to a higher unemployment rate at age 17 is associated with higher educational attainment for men in the 60–80th quintile of the ability distribution. There is no evidence of an effect beyond this quintile.

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  • Ernest Boffy-Ramirez, 2017. "The heterogeneous impacts of business cycles on educational attainment," Education Economics, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 25(6), pages 554-561, November.
    • Handle: RePEc:taf:edecon:v:25:y:2017:i:6:p:554-561
    DOI: 10.1080/09645292.2017.1336511
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    Cited by:

    1. Chang Hyung Lee, 2020. "Minimum Wage Policy and Community College Enrollment Patterns," ILR Review, Cornell University, ILR School, vol. 73(1), pages 178-210, January.
    2. Barbara Sadaba & Sunčica Vujič & Sofia Maier, 2020. "Cyclicality of Schooling: New Evidence from Unobserved Components Models," Staff Working Papers 20-38, Bank of Canada.

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    More about this item

    JEL classification:

    • I2 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Education
    • I22 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Education - - - Educational Finance; Financial Aid
    • J1 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demographic Economics
    • J18 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demographic Economics - - - Public Policy
    • J24 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demand and Supply of Labor - - - Human Capital; Skills; Occupational Choice; Labor Productivity

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