What Drives the Reversal of the Gender Education Gap? Evidence from Germany

43 Pages Posted: 24 Jun 2015

See all articles by Regina T. Riphahn

Regina T. Riphahn

University of Erlangen-Nuremberg-Friedrich Alexander Universität Erlangen Nürnberg - Department of Economics; IZA Institute of Labor Economics; CESifo (Center for Economic Studies and Ifo Institute)

Caroline Schwientek

University of Erlangen-Nuremberg-Friedrich Alexander Universität Erlangen Nürnberg

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Date Written: June 23, 2015

Abstract

We study the mechanisms that are associated with the gender education gap and its reversal in Germany. We focus on three outcomes, graduation from upper secondary school, any tertiary education, and tertiary degree. Neither individual and family background nor labor market characteristics appear to be strongly associated with the gender education gap. There is some evidence that the gender gap in upper secondary education reflects the rising share of single parent households which impacts boys’ attainment more than girls’. The gender education gap in tertiary education is correlated with the development of class sizes and social norms.

Keywords: educational attainment, wage premium, gender gap

JEL Classification: I210, J160

Suggested Citation

Riphahn, Regina T. and Schwientek, Caroline, What Drives the Reversal of the Gender Education Gap? Evidence from Germany (June 23, 2015). CESifo Working Paper Series No. 5395, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=2622007 or http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.2622007

Regina T. Riphahn (Contact Author)

University of Erlangen-Nuremberg-Friedrich Alexander Universität Erlangen Nürnberg - Department of Economics ( email )

Lange Gasse 20
Nuernberg, D-90403
Germany

IZA Institute of Labor Economics

P.O. Box 7240
Bonn, D-53072
Germany

CESifo (Center for Economic Studies and Ifo Institute)

Poschinger Str. 5
Munich, DE-81679
Germany

Caroline Schwientek

University of Erlangen-Nuremberg-Friedrich Alexander Universität Erlangen Nürnberg ( email )

Schloßplatz 4
Erlangen, DE 91054
Germany

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