Passport to progress: The effects of birthright citizenship on siblings’ education

Abstract

This paper analyzes family spillovers of birthright citizenship in Germany. By using difference-in-differences and event study methodologies on large-scale survey datasets, I examine the direct impact of citizenship on immigrant children and its spillover effects on the educational achievements of their older siblings who were born before the reform. The findings reveal educational benefits for immigrant children, and positive spillover effects on their older siblings’ academic achievements. Children are 13 percentage points more likely, and their older siblings are 6 percentage points more likely, to complete secondary school with the highest degree. The spillovers can be attributed to a considerable increase in parental investments in the siblings’ education and increased naturalization of parents and older siblings. Consequently, this study suggests that previous evaluations of citizenship have underestimated its benefits.