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Does single-sex schooling help or hurt labor market outcomes? Evidence from a natural experiment in South Korea

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  • Lee, Youngju
  • Nakazawa, Nobuhiko

Abstract

In this study, we investigate the effects of graduating from a single-sex high school on future labor market outcomes through the use of a randomized natural experiment. South Korean students are randomly assigned, by lottery, to single-sex or coeducational schools in their school districts. Using a large set of individual-level panel data, we find that graduating from single-sex schools significantly decreases females’ future earnings after graduation. In contrast, single-sex education positively affects males’ future earnings, although the estimates are noisy. We explore the potential mechanisms behind these asymmetric treatment effects, including career choice and postgraduation network effects. We do not find significant effects on other outcomes.

Suggested Citation

  • Lee, Youngju & Nakazawa, Nobuhiko, 2022. "Does single-sex schooling help or hurt labor market outcomes? Evidence from a natural experiment in South Korea," Journal of Public Economics, Elsevier, vol. 214(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:pubeco:v:214:y:2022:i:c:s0047272722001311
    DOI: 10.1016/j.jpubeco.2022.104729
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    JEL classification:

    • I23 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Education - - - Higher Education; Research Institutions
    • I28 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Education - - - Government Policy
    • J01 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - General - - - Labor Economics: General
    • J08 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - General - - - Labor Economics Policies
    • J16 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demographic Economics - - - Economics of Gender; Non-labor Discrimination

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