The effect of compulsory education on non-cognitive skills: Evidence from low- and middle-income countries

Antonia K. Entorf and Thomas J. Dohmen

Economics of Education Review, 2025, vol. 107, issue C

Abstract: Personality traits, preferences, and attitudes significantly influence labor market outcomes, and these non-cognitive skills are shaped by the social environment. While curriculum interventions can impact these skills, the effect of compulsory education on non-cognitive skills is less well understood. This study investigates the impact of extending compulsory education by examining educational reforms in four low- and middle-income countries. Utilizing cross-sectional data from the World Bank’s 2012/2013 initiative, we analyze the within-country variation in compulsory education years. Our findings indicate that increased compulsory education decreases emotional stability, grit, hostile attribution bias, patience, and willingness to take risks, while enhancing openness to experience and alternative solution or consequential thinking.

Keywords: Non-cognitive skills; Education; Wage returns; Personality; Economic preferences (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: D91 I20 I26 J24 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:eee:ecoedu:v:107:y:2025:i:c:s0272775725000342

DOI: 10.1016/j.econedurev.2025.102654

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