Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item: https://hdl.handle.net/10419/314562 
Year of Publication: 
2025
Series/Report no.: 
IZA Discussion Papers No. 17665
Publisher: 
Institute of Labor Economics (IZA), Bonn
Abstract: 
Many nations have experienced both rising education levels and declining marriage rates. However, cross-sectional comparisons within countries often indicate that more highly educated individuals are more likely to be married. Economic theory suggests ambiguous causal effects of education on marriage. This study uses a novel instrumental variable approach and finds that education decreases the probability of being married for younger persons but not for older persons. However, education increases the probability of never marrying even by ages 45-54. Education also reduces the likelihood of being divorced or separated, which partially offsets effects on being never married in overall marriage rates.
Subjects: 
marriage
education
human capital
instrumental variables
JEL: 
I20
J12
J24
Document Type: 
Working Paper

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