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Intergenerational Transfers in Spain: The Role of Education

Author

Listed:
  • Gemma Abio

    (Universitat de Barcelona)

  • Concepci Patxot

    (Universitat de Barcelona)

  • Elisenda Renter a

    (Universitat Aut noma de Barcelona)

  • Guadalupe Souto

    (Universitat Aut noma de Barcelona)

Abstract

This paper shows the estimates of National Transfer Accounts (NTA) for Spain in 2006 disaggregated by education level. Overall, our results indicate that, besides age population composition, education level has a big impact on the economic behavior of households and, hence, on the aggregate economy. Educated households tend to participate more and longer in the labor market, to produce more and, consequently, to consume more. As differences in consumption are lower than in labor income, they are able to contribute to the public system with higher taxes and contributions, and they depend less on public transfers over their lifecycle. Therefore, education seems to be crucial to sustain the welfare state in an ageing society.

Suggested Citation

  • Gemma Abio & Concepci Patxot & Elisenda Renter a & Guadalupe Souto, 2017. "Intergenerational Transfers in Spain: The Role of Education," Hacienda Pública Española / Review of Public Economics, IEF, vol. 223(4), pages 101-130, December.
  • Handle: RePEc:hpe:journl:y:2017:v:223:i:4:p:101-130
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. Amarante, Verónica & Bucheli, Marisa & Colacce, Maira & Nathan, Mathias, 2021. "Aging, education and intergenerational flows in Uruguay," The Journal of the Economics of Ageing, Elsevier, vol. 18(C).
    2. Julio López Laborda & Carmen Marín González & Jorge Onrubia & Ángel de la Fuente, 2026. "Cuentas generacionales de los miembros de los hogares (Cuentas Nacionales de Transferencia para España, 2022)," Studies on the Spanish Economy eee2026-09, FEDEA.
    3. Brindusa Anghel & J. Ignacio Conde-Ruiz & Ignacio Marra de Art ano, 2019. "Brechas Salariales de G nero en Espa a," Hacienda Pública Española / Review of Public Economics, IEF, vol. 229(2), pages 87-119, June.
    4. Abio, Gemma & Patxot, Concepció & Souto, Guadalupe & Istenič, Tanja, 2021. "The role of gender, education and family in the welfare organization: Disaggregating National Transfer Accounts," The Journal of the Economics of Ageing, Elsevier, vol. 20(C).
    5. Spielauer, Martin & Horvath, Thomas & Fink, Marian & Abio, Gemma & Souto, Guadalupe & Patxot, Ció & Istenič, Tanja, 2022. "Measuring the lifecycle impact of welfare state policies in the face of ageing," Economic Analysis and Policy, Elsevier, vol. 75(C), pages 1-25.
    6. Choo, Eddie & Gee, Christopher, 2024. "Age and education effects in Singapore’s demographic dividend 1970–2020," The Journal of the Economics of Ageing, Elsevier, vol. 27(C).
    7. Abio, Gemma & Patxot, Ció & Rentería, Elisenda & Souto, Guadalupe & Istenič, Tanja, 2025. "Lifecycle analysis of the gender gap in paid and unpaid work by household structure," The Journal of the Economics of Ageing, Elsevier, vol. 32(C).
    8. Mejía-Guevara, Iván & Fuentes, María Estela Rivero, 2024. "Intergenerational paid and unpaid labor production and consumption inequality by gender in Mexico," The Journal of the Economics of Ageing, Elsevier, vol. 27(C).
    9. Rosero-Bixby, Luis, 2024. "Socioeconomic inequalities in national transfers accounts in Ecuador 2006 and 2011: Did a new socialist government make a difference?," The Journal of the Economics of Ageing, Elsevier, vol. 27(C).
    10. Oosthuizen, Morné, 2024. "Education and South Africa’s waning demographic dividend," The Journal of the Economics of Ageing, Elsevier, vol. 27(C).
    11. Bucheli, Marisa & González, Cecilia, 2024. "Investment in human capital by socioeconomic status in Uruguay," The Journal of the Economics of Ageing, Elsevier, vol. 27(C).
    12. Correa, Charles H. & Carrasco-Gutierrez, Carlos Enrique & Turra, Cássio M., 2025. "Demographic changes and intergenerational reallocations in Brazil, 2003–2018," The Journal of the Economics of Ageing, Elsevier, vol. 30(C).

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    Keywords

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    JEL classification:

    • H53 - Public Economics - - National Government Expenditures and Related Policies - - - Government Expenditures and Welfare Programs
    • I28 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Education - - - Government Policy
    • I38 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Welfare, Well-Being, and Poverty - - - Government Programs; Provision and Effects of Welfare Programs

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