Introduction [to Education and earnings in Europe: a cross country analysis of the returns to education]

This text is based on a two-year pan-European research programme and presents an in-depth analysis of the returns to education in Europe. The work begins with a critical review of the literature which compares and contrasts the issues involved in the estimation of these returns. A central message of this review, based on the extensive use of cross country comparisons, is that the estimated return to education can vary depending on the precise methodology and data specification used. This review is followed by 15 country-specific chapters which present the structure of the educational system, estimates of the returns to education and extensions to the basic model of each country. The chapters follow a consistent format and style to allow for ease of comparison between the countries discussed.