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Timing of school entry and personality traits in adulthood

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  • Barabasch, Anton
  • Cygan-Rehm, Kamila
  • Leibing, Andreas

Abstract

This paper investigates the long-run consequences of a later school entry for personality traits. For identification, we exploit the statutory cutoff rules for school enrollment in Germany within a regression discontinuity design. We find that relatively older school starters have persistently lower levels of neuroticism in adulthood. This effect is entirely driven by women, which has important implications for gender gaps in the labor market, as women typically score significantly higher on neuroticism at all stages of life, which puts them at a disadvantage. Our results suggest that family decisions regarding compliance with enrollment cutoffs may have lasting implications for gender gaps in socio-emotional skills.

Suggested Citation

  • Barabasch, Anton & Cygan-Rehm, Kamila & Leibing, Andreas, 2026. "Timing of school entry and personality traits in adulthood," European Economic Review, Elsevier, vol. 183(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:eecrev:v:183:y:2026:i:c:s0014292125002867
    DOI: 10.1016/j.euroecorev.2025.105236
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    JEL classification:

    • I21 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Education - - - Analysis of Education
    • I28 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Education - - - Government Policy
    • J24 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demand and Supply of Labor - - - Human Capital; Skills; Occupational Choice; Labor Productivity
    • D19 - Microeconomics - - Household Behavior - - - Other

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