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Dividing lives: The impacts of delayed school tracking on inequalities in cognitive aging in Europe

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  • Da Re, Filippo
  • Bertoni, Marco
  • Kieny, Clemence
  • Avendano, Mauricio

Abstract

We examine whether delaying selection into secondary school streams can reduce socioeconomic inequality in cognitive aging. We link data on individuals aged 50+ from 14 European countries in the Survey of Health, Ageing and Retirement in Europe (SHARE) to a newly compiled database on reforms that postponed the age of first tracking. Exploiting within-country, within-cohort variation in tracking age, we find that later tracking significantly reduces socioeconomic status (SES)-related disparities in late-life cognition. A one-year increase in tracking age relative to the sample median reduces the SES gradient in word recall by around 8%. Furthermore, our analysis shows that delayed tracking narrows SES gaps in completed years of education and in completion of at least vocational upper-secondary school. It also improves access to white-collar, high-prestige and less physically demanding first jobs. These findings suggest that education policy should be incorporated into broader strategies aimed at reducing health disparities throughout the lifespan.

Suggested Citation

  • Da Re, Filippo & Bertoni, Marco & Kieny, Clemence & Avendano, Mauricio, 2026. "Dividing lives: The impacts of delayed school tracking on inequalities in cognitive aging in Europe," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 399(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:socmed:v:399:y:2026:i:c:s0277953626003126
    DOI: 10.1016/j.socscimed.2026.119236
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