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Where Do STEM Graduates Stem From? The Intergenerational Transmission of Comparative Skill Advantages

Author

Listed:
  • Eric A. Hanushek
  • Babs Jacobs
  • Guido Schwerdt
  • Rolf van der Velden
  • Stan Vermeulen
  • Simon Wiederhold

Abstract

The standard economic model of occupational choice following a basic Roy model emphasizes individual selection and comparative advantage, but the sources of comparative advantage are not well understood. We employ a unique combination of Dutch survey and registry data that links math and language skills across generations and permits analysis of the intergenerational transmission of comparative skill advantages. Exploiting within-family between-subject variation in skills, we show that comparative advantages in math of parents are significantly linked to those of their children. A causal interpretation follows from a novel IV estimation that isolates variation in parent skill advantages due to their teacher and classroom peer quality. Finally, we show the strong influence of family skill transmission on children’s choices of STEM fields.

Suggested Citation

  • Eric A. Hanushek & Babs Jacobs & Guido Schwerdt & Rolf van der Velden & Stan Vermeulen & Simon Wiederhold, 2023. "Where Do STEM Graduates Stem From? The Intergenerational Transmission of Comparative Skill Advantages," NBER Working Papers 31186, National Bureau of Economic Research, Inc.
    • Handle: RePEc:nbr:nberwo:31186
    Note: CH ED LS PE
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    Cited by:

    1. Jacobs, Babs & van der Velden, Rolf, 2021. "Exploring the uncharted waters of educational mobility: The role of key skills," Research Memorandum 016, Maastricht University, Graduate School of Business and Economics (GSBE).
    2. Gordon B. Dahl & Dan-Olof Rooth & Anders Stenberg, 2024. "Intergenerational and Sibling Spillovers in High School Majors," American Economic Journal: Economic Policy, American Economic Association, vol. 16(3), pages 133-173, August.
    3. Hanushek, Eric A. & Wang, Yuan & Zhang, Lei, 2025. "Understanding trends in Chinese skill premiums, 2007–2018," Journal of Comparative Economics, Elsevier, vol. 53(2), pages 584-608.
    4. Gielen, Anne C. & Webbink, Dinand, 2023. "Unexpected Colonial Returns: Self-Selection and Economic Integration of Migrants over Multiple Generations," IZA Discussion Papers 16065, IZA Network @ LISER.

    More about this item

    JEL classification:

    • I24 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Education - - - Education and Inequality
    • I26 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Education - - - Returns to Education
    • J12 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demographic Economics - - - Marriage; Marital Dissolution; Family Structure
    • J62 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Mobility, Unemployment, Vacancies, and Immigrant Workers - - - Job, Occupational and Intergenerational Mobility; Promotion

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