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The Heterogeneous Effect of Post-Compulsory Education on Subjective Well-Being: Evidence Based on Marginal Treatment Effect

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  • Tianyu Jin

    (Tsinghua University)

  • Huiqin Liu

    (Tsinghua University)

Abstract

The education-happiness puzzle has long been debated in the existing literature with conflicting results. Based on the generalized Roy model, this study evaluates the marginal treatment effect of post-compulsory education on subjective well-being in China using individual-level microdata. The results indicate that post-compulsory education has a positive and robust impact on subjective well-being, especially for those with fewer opportunities for further education, such as women and rural residents. Regarding the mechanisms, our findings suggest that while post-compulsory education can enhance both income and health on average. However, it's the impact on health, not income, that explains the heterogenous effect of education on subjective well-being. Our research suggests that post-compulsory education can be a crucial tool for increasing social equity in subjective well-being. It is therefore important for policy makers to recognize the importance of assessing the heterogeneous effects of education across individuals.

Suggested Citation

  • Tianyu Jin & Huiqin Liu, 2023. "The Heterogeneous Effect of Post-Compulsory Education on Subjective Well-Being: Evidence Based on Marginal Treatment Effect," Applied Research in Quality of Life, Springer;International Society for Quality-of-Life Studies, vol. 18(6), pages 2851-2876, December.
  • Handle: RePEc:spr:ariqol:v:18:y:2023:i:6:d:10.1007_s11482-023-10210-y
    DOI: 10.1007/s11482-023-10210-y
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    1. Lu, Xiaomeng & He, Zehui & Li, Yaling & Luo, Ronghua, 2025. "Post-compulsory education of children and household asset allocation," Pacific-Basin Finance Journal, Elsevier, vol. 89(C).

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Education economics; Marginal treatment effect; Post-compulsory education; Subjective well-being; Happiness;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • I26 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Education - - - Returns to Education
    • I31 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Welfare, Well-Being, and Poverty - - - General Welfare, Well-Being
    • C21 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Single Equation Models; Single Variables - - - Cross-Sectional Models; Spatial Models; Treatment Effect Models

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