Enduring Links From Childhood Mathematics and Reading Achievement to Adult Socioeconomic Status

TLDR

Socioeconomic status is influenced by many factors, yet much of its variance remains unexplained, making its determinants a key economic and social goal. The study tested whether mathematics and reading achievement at age 7 predict attained SES by age 42 in a large UK population sample. The authors analyzed data from a large, population‑representative UK cohort, assessing age‑7 mathematics and reading scores and adult SES at age 42. Mathematics and reading ability at age 7 were strongly positively associated with adult SES, even after controlling for birth SES and intelligence, and were also linked to intelligence, academic motivation, and education duration, indicating that early achievement influences SES across the lifespan.

Abstract

Understanding the determinants of socioeconomic status (SES) is an important economic and social goal. Several major influences on SES are known, yet much of the variance in SES remains unexplained. In a large, population-representative sample from the United Kingdom, we tested the effects of mathematics and reading achievement at age 7 on attained SES by age 42. Mathematics and reading ability both had substantial positive associations with adult SES, above and beyond the effects of SES at birth, and with other important factors, such as intelligence. Achievement in mathematics and reading was also significantly associated with intelligence scores, academic motivation, and duration of education. These findings suggest effects of improved early mathematics and reading on SES attainment across the life span.