This project studies the gender gap in education, and if an increasing gender gap affects family formation and labour market outcomes. In ages 25-44, the population share with a higher education is 14 percentage point higher among women than men. The gender gap in education in particularly large in rural areas: around 40 percent higher in rural areas than in cities.

A gender gap in education may affect the attractiveness of rural area. Negatively, by its impact on family formation. Because assortative mating on education is increasing, a growing gender gap in education may decrease the probability of finding a partner. If individuals have to move to find a partner, it may increase rural depopulation.

On the other hand, a gender gap in education may have positive labour market consequences. A higher education level among women increases women’s labour supply, but it may also impact men’s labour market outcomes? If male and female labour are complementary factors on the labour market, differences in the type of education between men and women may have positive effects, overall.

The project is co-financed by the FORTE project “Utbildningshomogami och ojämlikhet. Konsekvenser av förändrad familjedynamik i Sverige, 1970-2020”. The project will be completed in spring 2024.