Beyond the Degree: Fertility Outcomes of ‘First in Family’ Graduates

Anna Adamecz (), Anna Lovász () and Sunčica Vujić ()
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Anna Adamecz: UCL Social Research Institute; HUN-REN Centre for Economic and Regional Studies; IZA
Anna Lovász: University of Washington Tacoma
Sunčica Vujić: University of Antwerp; University of Bath; VU Amsterdam; IZA

No 2506, KRTK-KTI WORKING PAPERS from Institute of Economics, Centre for Economic and Regional Studies

Abstract: This paper examines the link between higher education and fertility, with particular attention to the role of intergenerational educational mobility in shaping this relationship. Drawing on data from the 1970 British Cohort Study, we estimate differences in completed fertility across three groups: first-in-family university graduates (FiF), graduates with at least one university-educated parent (non-FiF graduates), and individuals who did not attend university (non-graduates). Our findings show that although graduate women generally have fewer children than non-graduates, this gap is primarily driven by FiF graduates. FiF women have lower fertility than both non-FiF graduates and non-graduates, who exhibit similar fertility patterns. The fertility gap between FiF and non-FiF graduates emerges after age 35, mainly on the extensive margin: FiF women are more likely to remain childless, but those who become mothers have an average number of children similar to non-FiF graduates. Similar patterns are observed for men, however, the gaps are smaller and not statistically significant. We identify child-related preferences, self-esteem, and exposure to maternal employment during childhood as potential drivers of the relationship between FiF status and fertility. In contrast, labour market outcomes, financial constraints, partnership status, and health outcomes do not appear to contribute to the FiF fertility gap. These findings highlight key considerations for policies aimed at supporting both intergenerational mobility and fertility.

Keywords: First in family (FiF) graduates; fertility; childlessness; intergenerational educational mobility; gender economics (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I26 J13 J16 J24 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025-04
New Economics Papers: this item is included in nep-edu and nep-mac
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