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Gender Differences in the Genetics of Skill Formation

Author

Listed:
  • Mikkel Aagaard Houmark
  • Victor Ronda

Abstract

This paper examines heterogeneity in the gender gap in early cognitive skills. While boys lag behind on average, we document both a socioeconomic and a genetic gradient, with disadvantaged boys falling substantially further behind comparable girls. Estimating a dynamic skill formation model, we show that the genetic gradient reflects boys’ greater sensitivity to their own endowments, while the socioeconomic gradient can be explained by genetic differences, higher returns to parental investment, and stronger skill self-productivity among boys. Differences in parental investments further amplify both the average gender gap and the overrepresentation of boys at both tails of the skill distribution.

Suggested Citation

  • Mikkel Aagaard Houmark & Victor Ronda, 2026. "Gender Differences in the Genetics of Skill Formation," CESifo Working Paper Series 13078, CESifo.
    • Handle: RePEc:ces:ceswps:_13078
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    File URL: https://www.ifo.de/DocDL/cesifo1_wp13078.pdf
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    Keywords

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    JEL classification:

    • D10 - Microeconomics - - Household Behavior - - - General
    • I24 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Education - - - Education and Inequality
    • J13 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demographic Economics - - - Fertility; Family Planning; Child Care; Children; Youth
    • J16 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demographic Economics - - - Economics of Gender; Non-labor Discrimination
    • J24 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demand and Supply of Labor - - - Human Capital; Skills; Occupational Choice; Labor Productivity

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