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Peer Effects on Well-Being and Performance in Elementary School

Author

Listed:
  • Isabel Skak Olufsen

    (Department of Economics, University of Copenhagen)

  • Jesper Fries

    (Department of Economics, University of Copenhagen)

Abstract

We study the effect of having high socioeconomic status (SES) peers on pupils wellbeing, absence rate, and academic performance in elementary school. We compare pupils in the same school who started school in different years and, consequently, were exposed to different shares of high-SES peers. We use a unique combination of administrative, survey, and test data on pupils in Danish public schools. We find that a higher share of high-SES peers increases well-being and performance while lowering absence rates slightly. Our results imply that educational inequalities may increase due to the growing concentration of high-SES pupils in certain schools.

Suggested Citation

  • Isabel Skak Olufsen & Jesper Fries, 2025. "Peer Effects on Well-Being and Performance in Elementary School," CEBI working paper series 25-01, University of Copenhagen. Department of Economics. The Center for Economic Behavior and Inequality (CEBI).
    • Handle: RePEc:kud:kucebi:2501
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    File URL: https://www.econ.ku.dk/cebi/publikationer/working-papers/CEBI_WP_01-25.pdf
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
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    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Peer effects; well-being; academic performance; primary school;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • I21 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Education - - - Analysis of Education
    • I24 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Education - - - Education and Inequality
    • I31 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Welfare, Well-Being, and Poverty - - - General Welfare, Well-Being

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