Does Military Draft Discourage Enrollment in Higher Education? Evidence from OECD Countries

27 Pages Posted: 6 Nov 2009

See all articles by Katarina R. I. Keller

Katarina R. I. Keller

Susquehanna University

Panu Poutvaara

University of Helsinki - Department of Economics; Helsinki Center of Economic Research (HECER); CESifo (Center for Economic Studies and Ifo Institute); IZA Institute of Labor Economics

Andreas Wagener

Leibniz Universität Hannover - Economics and Business Administration Area; CESifo (Center for Economic Studies and Ifo Institute for Economic Research); Vienna University of Economics and Business Administration

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Date Written: October 2009

Abstract

Using data from 1960-2000 for OECD countries, we analyze the impact of compulsory military service on the demand for higher education, measured by students enrolled in tertiary education as a share of the working-age population. Based on a theoretical model, we hypothesize that military draft has a negative effect on education. Empirically, we confirm this for the existence of conscription, albeit usually at low statistical significance. However, the intensity of its enforcement, measured by the share of the labor force conscripted by the military and the duration of service, significantly reduces enrollment in higher education.

Keywords: conscription, human capital

JEL Classification: H56, I20

Suggested Citation

Keller, Katarina R. I. and Poutvaara, Panu and Wagener, Andreas, Does Military Draft Discourage Enrollment in Higher Education? Evidence from OECD Countries (October 2009). CESifo Working Paper Series No. 2838, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=1500286 or http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.1500286

Katarina R. I. Keller

Susquehanna University ( email )

Selinsgrove, PA 17870
United States

Panu Poutvaara

University of Helsinki - Department of Economics ( email )

P.O. Box 54
FIN-00014 Helsinki
Finland

HOME PAGE: http://www.valt.helsinki.fi/blogs/poutvaar/

Helsinki Center of Economic Research (HECER) ( email )

FI-00014 Helsinki
Finland

CESifo (Center for Economic Studies and Ifo Institute)

Poschinger Str. 5
Munich, DE-81679
Germany

IZA Institute of Labor Economics

P.O. Box 7240
Bonn, D-53072
Germany

Andreas Wagener (Contact Author)

Leibniz Universität Hannover - Economics and Business Administration Area ( email )

Koenigsworther Platz 1
30167 Hannover
Germany

CESifo (Center for Economic Studies and Ifo Institute for Economic Research)

Poschinger Str. 5
Munich, DE-81679
Germany

HOME PAGE: http://www.CESifo.de

Vienna University of Economics and Business Administration ( email )

Welthandelsplatz 1
Vienna, Wien 1020
Austria

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