Article
Overeducation: A Short or Long Run Phenomenon for Individuals?
Economics of Education Review
(2003)
Abstract
Analyzing a large data set from the 1990s, this paper attempts to gain insights on the time horizon of overeducation. Overeducation could be a short-run phenomenon for individuals if it occurs as a temporary form of employment; perhaps allowing workers to develop career opportunities or gain experience. However, overeducation may be a way for workers to compensate for weaknesses in other areas of human capital (school quality, experience, etc.), thus a long-run phenomenon for other individuals. Currently one in five overeducated individuals are able to remain employed and exit the category within a year. Additionally, approximately 3% of just-educated individuals enter the overeducated category the following year. The findings are robust, occurring for a variety of demographic groups during different stages in the business cycle.
Keywords
- Educational economics,
- Human capital,
- Overeducation
Disciplines
Publication Date
August, 2003
DOI
10.1016/S0272-7757(02)00052-3
Citation Information
Stephen D. Rubb. "Overeducation: A Short or Long Run Phenomenon for Individuals?" Economics of Education Review Vol. 22 Iss. 4 (2003) p. 389 - 394 Available at: http://works.bepress.com/stephen_rubb/14/