Higher education, family income and changes in intergenerational mobility

Abstract

Links between higher education and parental income have strengthened over time in the UK, portraying a significant rise in educational inequality. This means the rapid expansion of the higher education system seen in recent years disproportionately benefited children from richer families Intergenerational mobility of economic status has also declined over time, as the labour market success or failure of individuals has become more closely connected to parental income than it was in the past. A key transmission mechanism underpinning falling intergenerational mobility is the strengthened link between individuals’ education participation and attainment and parental income.