The Birth Order Effect: A Modern Phenomenon?

45 Pages Posted: 14 Dec 2022

See all articles by Ana Nuevo‐Chiquero

Ana Nuevo‐Chiquero

University of Edinburgh

Marian Vidal-Fernandez

IZA - Institute for the Study of Labor; The University of Sydney - School of Economics

Jee-Yeon Lehmann

Analysis Group, Inc.

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Date Written: August 11, 2022

Abstract

We study the existence and evolution of the birth order differences in labor market outcomes in the Netherlands over the 19th century. Using historical family-linked administrative birth, death, and marriage records, we analyze the role of family composition and socio-economic status on occupational differences among siblings. Consistent with findings in modern developed countries, we find a negative and significant birth order effect in occupational rank in the mid 19th century Netherlands. Within the same family, later-born siblings are less likely to be employed in a non-manual occupation and have a lower ranked occupation. This negative birth order effect is primarily driven by the number of male older siblings and a strong positive first-born effect. It is also more salient among urban, protestant, and socioeconomically advantaged families. Surprisingly, the magnitude of the birth order effects remains relatively stable over a period a rapid economic growth in the Netherlands and there is only an increasing first-born advantage over time in urban areas. Taken together, our findings suggest that differing patterns of birth order effects observed in developed and developing countries in modern times are not likely attributable to differences in economic growth.

Keywords: Birth order, first-born, The Netherlands, historical data

Suggested Citation

Nuevo‐Chiquero, Ana and Vidal-Fernandez, Marian and Vidal-Fernandez, Marian and Lehmann, Jee-Yeon, The Birth Order Effect: A Modern Phenomenon? (August 11, 2022). Life Course Centre Working Paper No. 2022-18, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=4301566 or http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.4301566

Ana Nuevo‐Chiquero (Contact Author)

University of Edinburgh ( email )

Old College
South Bridge
Edinburgh, EH8 9JY
United Kingdom

Marian Vidal-Fernandez

IZA - Institute for the Study of Labor ( email )

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

The University of Sydney - School of Economics ( email )

Rm 370 Merewether (H04)
The University of Sydney
Sydney, NSW 2006 2008
Australia

Jee-Yeon Lehmann

Analysis Group, Inc. ( email )

111 Huntington Avenue
Tenth Floor
Boston, MA 02199
United States

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