Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item: https://hdl.handle.net/10419/279063 
Year of Publication: 
2023
Series/Report no.: 
IZA Discussion Papers No. 16365
Publisher: 
Institute of Labor Economics (IZA), Bonn
Abstract: 
We investigate the causes and consequences of the aging of the scientific workforce. Using novel data on the population of US chemistry faculty members over fifty years, we find that the secular increase in the age of the academic workforce has been mainly driven by the slowdown in faculty hiring combined with later retirements. By contrast, changes in the age at which scientists start their careers only contribute to about 20% of aging. Hiring more new faculty members could rejuvenate the scientific workforce and boost scientific productivity.
Subjects: 
aging
science
universities
knowledge production
JEL: 
O31
J24
J26
Document Type: 
Working Paper

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