D4 Published development or research report or study
Regional concentration of university graduates : The role of high school grades and parental background (2019)

Eliasson, K., Haapanen, M., & Westerlund, O. (2019). Regional concentration of university graduates : The role of high school grades and parental background. Umeå University, Department of Economics. Umeå Economic Studies, 966. https://ideas.repec.org/p/hhs/umnees/0966.html

The research was funded by Strategic Research Council at the Research Council of Finland.

JYU authors or editors

Publication details

All authors or editors: Eliasson, Kent; Haapanen, Mika; Westerlund, Olle

Journal or series: Umeå Economic Studies

ISSN: 0348-1018

Publication year: 2019

Number in series: 966

Number of pages in the book: 28

Publisher: Umeå University, Department of Economics

Publication country: Sweden

Publication language: English

Persistent website address: https://ideas.repec.org/p/hhs/umnees/0966.html

Publication open access: Openly available

Publication channel open access: Open Access channel

Abstract

In this paper, we analyse long-term changes in the regional distribution and migration flows of university graduates in Finland and Sweden. The study is based on detailed longitudinal population register data, including information on high school grades and parental background. We find a distinct pattern of skill divergence across regions in both countries over the last three decades. The uneven distribution of human capital has been reinforced by the mobility patterns among university graduates, for whom regional sorting by high school grades and parental background is evident. Our findings indicate that traditional measures of human capital concentration most likely underscore actual regional differences in productive skills.

Keywords: regional differences; internal migration; academic degree holders; human capital; labour market; study performance; family background

Free keywords: human capital; university graduates; migration; school grades; parental education; local labour market areas

Contributing organizations

Related projects

Ministry reporting: Yes

Reporting Year: 2019