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International Trends in Economics Degrees During the 1990s

Author

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  • John J. Siegfried

    (Department of Economics, Vanderbilt University)

  • David K. Round

    (Department of Economics, University of Adelaide)

Abstract

Australia, Canada, Germany, and the United States experienced a substantial decline in undergraduate degrees in economics from 1992 through 1996, followed immediately by a modest recovery. This cycle does not conform to overall degree trends, shifts in the gender composition of undergraduate populations, or changing interests of female students in any of the four countries. There is no evidence that changes in the "price" of a degree to students, tightened marking standards or degree requirements, or changes in pedagogical methods caused the cycle either. Jobs for economics graduates declined in the U.S. between 1988 and 1990, and thereafter recovered. With a two-year recognition lag, the pattern of employment prospects fits the U.S. slump in economics degrees perfectly. Unfortunately, employment patterns in the other three countries are inconsistent with the degree cycle. The explanation that fits the economic degree pattern best is interest in business education. Undergraduate economics degree counts for the U.S. updated through June 2000 are reported in the appendix.

Suggested Citation

  • John J. Siegfried & David K. Round, 2000. "International Trends in Economics Degrees During the 1990s," Vanderbilt University Department of Economics Working Papers 0047, Vanderbilt University Department of Economics.
    • Handle: RePEc:van:wpaper:0047
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Bartlett, Robin L, 1995. "Attracting "Otherwise Bright Students" to Economics 101," American Economic Review, American Economic Association, vol. 85(2), pages 362-366, May.
    2. Siegfried, John J & Raymond, Jennie E, 1984. "A Profile of Senior Economics Majors in the United States," American Economic Review, American Economic Association, vol. 74(2), pages 19-25, May.
    3. David Brasfield & Dannie Harrison & James McCoy & Martin Milkman, 1996. "Why Have Some Schools Not Experienced a Decrease in the Percentage of Students Majoring in Economics?," The Journal of Economic Education, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 27(4), pages 362-370, October.
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    Cited by:

    1. Tang, Tommy, 2023. "Approach to learning for assessment in economics," Economic Analysis and Policy, Elsevier, vol. 78(C), pages 571-584.
    2. Alan Duhs & Ross Guest, 2011. "Economics Education in Australia," Chapters, in: Gail M. Hoyt & KimMarie McGoldrick (ed.), International Handbook on Teaching and Learning Economics, chapter 72, Edward Elgar Publishing.
    3. Alauddin, Mohammad & Valadkhani, Abbas, 2003. "Causes and Implications of Declining Economics Major: A Focus on Australia," MPRA Paper 50393, University Library of Munich, Germany.
    4. John J. Siegfried, 2011. "The Economics Major in the United States," Chapters, in: Gail M. Hoyt & KimMarie McGoldrick (ed.), International Handbook on Teaching and Learning Economics, chapter 68, Edward Elgar Publishing.
    5. Mahmud A. Mansaray, 2018. "Utility Maximization Model of Teaching Effectiveness in Economics," International Journal of Academic Research in Business and Social Sciences, Human Resource Management Academic Research Society, International Journal of Academic Research in Business and Social Sciences, vol. 8(1), pages 383-408, January.
    6. Patricia M. Flynn & Michael A. Quinn, 2010. "Economics: Good Choice of Major for Future Ceos," The American Economist, Sage Publications, vol. 55(1), pages 58-72, May.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Undergraduate; economics; degrees;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • A22 - General Economics and Teaching - - Economic Education and Teaching of Economics - - - Undergraduate

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