What is the source of the intergenerational correlation in earnings?

  • George Levi Gayle
  • , Limor Golan*
  • , Mehmet A. Soytas
  • *Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

3 Scopus citations

Abstract

We use a dynastic model of household behavior to estimate and decompose the correlations in earnings across generations. The estimated model can explain 75% to 80% of the observed correlation in lifetime earnings between fathers and sons, mothers and daughters, and families across generations. We find that human-capital accumulation in the labor market, the nonlinear return to part-versus full-time work, and the return to parental time investment in children are the main forces driving the intergenerational correlation in earnings. The primary mechanism through which these three sources affect the intergenerational correlation in earnings is their effects on fertility and the division of labor within the household. Assortative mating magnifies these forces.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)24-45
Number of pages22
JournalJournal of Monetary Economics
Volume129
DOIs
StatePublished - Jul 2022

Bibliographical note

Publisher Copyright:
© 2022 Elsevier B.V.

UN SDGs

This output contributes to the following UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

  1. SDG 8 - Decent Work and Economic Growth
    SDG 8 Decent Work and Economic Growth

Keywords

  • Estimation
  • Human capital
  • Intergenerational models
  • Panel study of income dynamics
  • discrete choice

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Finance
  • Economics and Econometrics

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