Age at graduation and its reflections in early career prospects

Abstract

We analyse the association between age at tertiary graduation and outcomes of the first phase of the working career in Italy by using a rich longitudinal dataset built merging EU-SILC survey data with individual administrative records on working careers. Labour market outcomes is observed at the entry and along the 10-year period from graduation. No large differences in weekly and annual earnings and worked weeks emerge across individuals who attained the degree at different ages, thus showing a negligible direct penalisation related to graduating not at typical age in Italy. In particular, no statistically significant associations emerge as concerns the link between age at graduation and total earnings obtained during the 10 years from graduation.