RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 Birth Order and Human Capital Development
JF Journal of Human Resources
JO J Hum Resour
FD University of Wisconsin Press
SP 359
OP 392
DO 10.3368/jhr.49.2.359
VO 49
IS 2
A1 De Haan, Monique
A1 Plug, Erik
A1 Rosero, José
YR 2014
UL http://jhr.uwpress.org/content/49/2/359.abstract
AB In this paper we examine the effect of birth order on human capital development in Ecuador. Using family fixed effects models we find positive and persistent birth order effects; earlier-born children stay behind in their human capital development from infancy to adolescence. Turning to potential mechanisms, we find that earlier-born children receive less quality time from their mothers. Additionally, they are breastfed shorter. Poverty plays a key role in explaining these birth order patterns; we observe the largest birth order effects in poor and low-educated families, accompanied with reversed birth order effects in rich and high-educated families.