Parenthood and the Gender Gap in Academic Careers

Olof Ejermo and Peter Holmström
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Olof Ejermo: The Ratio Institute, Postal: The Ratio Institute, P.O. Box 5095, SE-102 42 Stockholm, Sweden
Peter Holmström: The Ratio Institute, Postal: The Ratio Institute, P.O. Box 5095, SE-102 42 Stockholm, Sweden

No 389, Ratio Working Papers from The Ratio Institute

Abstract: Using population-wide data on Swedish university researchers and teachers, we identify the effects of parenthood on academic careers. Leveraging staggered event-study models that compare mothers and fathers around first birth, we document widening gender gaps in publication output, wage income, promotion, and PhD completion. These gaps arise across all scientific fields. We further document substantial gender differences prior to first birth and among never-parents, indicating that child-related penalties explain only part of the overall academic gender gap.

Keywords: academic careers; child penalty; parenthood; gender gap; Sweden; staggered event study; research productivity (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I23 J13 J16 J24 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Pages: 58 pages
Date: 2026-03-27
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