Scandinavian Working Papers in Economics

Ratio Working Papers,
The Ratio Institute

No 389: Parenthood and the Gender Gap in Academic Careers

Olof Ejermo and Peter Holmström
Additional contact information
Olof Ejermo: The Ratio Institute, Postal: The Ratio Institute, P.O. Box 5095, SE-102 42 Stockholm, Sweden
Peter Holmström: The Ratio Institute, Postal: The Ratio Institute, P.O. Box 5095, SE-102 42 Stockholm, Sweden

Abstract: Using population-wide data on Swedish university researchers and teachers, we identify the effects of parenthood on academic careers. Leveraging staggered event-study models that compare mothers and fathers around first birth, we document widening gender gaps in publication output, wage income, promotion, and PhD completion. These gaps arise across all scientific fields. We further document substantial gender differences prior to first birth and among never-parents, indicating that child-related penalties explain only part of the overall academic gender gap.

Keywords: academic careers; child penalty; parenthood; gender gap; Sweden; staggered event study; research productivity

JEL-codes: I23; J13; J16; J24

Language: English

58 pages, March 27, 2026

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