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The Great Gatsby Curve in education with a kink

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  • Kourtellos, Andros

Abstract

This paper investigates the presence of a kink in the relationship between intergenerational mobility in education and inequality in education using a regression kink model with an unknown threshold. We uncover evidence of a regression kink effect in absolute upward mobility of education due to high inequality in education. At lower levels of inequality of parental education the relationship between intergenerational mobility in education and the Gini coefficient of parental education is positive but there exists a critical point over which the slope of the relationship becomes negative. This finding is consistent with the presence of multiple regimes (equilibria) in the cross-country intergenerational mobility process.

Suggested Citation

  • Kourtellos, Andros, 2021. "The Great Gatsby Curve in education with a kink," Economics Letters, Elsevier, vol. 208(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:ecolet:v:208:y:2021:i:c:s0165176521003311
    DOI: 10.1016/j.econlet.2021.110054
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    JEL classification:

    • C13 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Econometric and Statistical Methods and Methodology: General - - - Estimation: General
    • C21 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Single Equation Models; Single Variables - - - Cross-Sectional Models; Spatial Models; Treatment Effect Models
    • C49 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Econometric and Statistical Methods: Special Topics - - - Other
    • C51 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Econometric Modeling - - - Model Construction and Estimation

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