Economic development benefits or social inequality hinders? Intergenerational educational mobility in 49 countries

Jiyue Li () and Qian Zhang
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Jiyue Li: Xi’an Jiaotong University
Qian Zhang: Xi’an Jiaotong University

Palgrave Communications, 2025, vol. 12, issue 1, 1-12

Abstract: Abstract This study employs global survey data and multilevel linear models to analyze the effects of contextual factors on intergenerational educational mobility across 49 countries. The first conclusion is that the educational mobility-promoting effects of economic development are stronger in nations with lower levels of inequality than in nations with higher levels. As income inequality rises, its mobility-inhibiting effect would outweigh the facilitation of economic development, implying that income inequality hinders socioeconomic development’s efforts to positively enhance educational mobility. The second is that women’s intergenerational educational mobility is more strongly influenced by macro factors than men’s. When the external social environment improves, women would have more mobile educational attainment and when the social environment deteriorates, women’s educational solidification grows rapidly. The third is that socioeconomic inequality restricts mobilities for the older cohort more noticeably, whereas the younger cohort benefits more from the expanded educational opportunities brought on by economic growth.

Date: 2025
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DOI: 10.1057/s41599-025-05687-x

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