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Happier with Vocational Education?

Giorgio Brunello

No 13739, IZA Discussion Papers from Institute of Labor Economics (IZA)

Abstract: Using Italian data, I study the relationship between vocational education and self-reported happiness by focusing on individuals with at least a five-years high school degree, either vocational or academic. My instrumental variable strategy shows that individuals who have completed a vocational high school are more likely to report a high level of happiness than individuals who have completed an academic degree. I find no clear evidence that vocational graduates have a lower probability to be employed or earn lower wages than other graduates. I show that they live more than other graduates in small towns, where prices are lower and social life more rewarding, and have a less privileged parental background. Both facts may lead to more moderate aspirations and therefore contribute to higher happiness.

Keywords: happiness; vocational education; Italy (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: D90 I21 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Pages: 33 pages
Date: 2020-09
New Economics Papers: this item is included in nep-edu, nep-eur and nep-hap
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Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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