Rising Inequality, Declining Mobility: The Evolution of Intergenerational Mobility in Germany
Overview
Paper Summary
This study finds that intergenerational income mobility has decreased in Germany for those born between 1968 and 1987. The rank-rank slope, a measure of economic mobility, increased substantially between earlier and later birth cohorts, now similar to estimates from the United States. Educational attainment is increasingly tied to parental income, suggesting an important mechanism behind this declining mobility.
Explain Like I'm Five
Kids born in Germany in the 80s have it tougher than those born in the 60s: their parents' wealth matters more for their future earnings than before. It is almost as hard for them to move up in life compared to their parents than in the US.
Possible Conflicts of Interest
None identified
Identified Limitations
Rating Explanation
This paper presents a robust analysis of a timely and relevant topic. The methodology using rank-rank slopes and copula functions is rigorous, and addresses potential biases. The focus on educational mobility as a mechanism strengthens the analysis. While the use of survey data and cohort group size present limitations, the overall quality and contribution of the research are high.
Good to know
This is the Starter analysis. Paperzilla Pro fact-checks every citation, researches author backgrounds and funding sources, and uses advanced AI reasoning for more thorough insights.
Explore Pro →