Overeducation and overskilling: The influence of social background on job placement

Abstract

This article examines the relationship between social origin and the probability of being overeducated or overskilled. Using PIAAC microdata for EU countries, we carried out an econometric analysis, which examine the importance of parents having higher education on the probability of individuals being overeducated and/or overskilled. The results show that workers whose parents have high levels of education are less likely to be overeducated for a young cohort, while this effect disappears for an older sample. However, these individuals will be more likely to be overskilled, given the greater cultural capital received in their families. This occurs for both cohorts.