Educational inequality in Belgium returns to pre-1950 levels, study finds
In Belgium, those born between 1970 and 1994 in the upper middle class are five times more likely to obtain a master's degree than their peers from a working-class family. De Morgen reported these findings on Monday based on research by the Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB).
Sociologists Elias Kruithof and Pieter-Paul Verhaeghe from the VUB analysed data on the highest educational qualifications and parental socioeconomic backgrounds of approximately 19,000 Belgians born between 1919 and 1994. "In terms of inequality, we are back to the level of before 1950. Even a bit worse," Verhaeghe remarked. The results showed that inequality in higher education, except for a brief decline after World War II, has increased over the 20th century.
For individuals from working-class families born between 1970 and 1994, the likelihood of obtaining a master’s degree was just 8 per cent, only a modest increase from 4 per cent for those born before 1950. “That is a very limited increase,” Verhaeghe explained.
In contrast, the advantage for upper middle class families expanded significantly. Before 1950, children from this background had a 19 per cent chance of earning a master’s degree. In the 1970–1994 group, this had more than doubled to 39 per cent, five times the rate for working-class children.
The data also highlighted a unique period between 1950 and 1970 when socioeconomic background had a diminished influence on educational outcomes.
© BELGA PHOTO SISKA GREMMELPREZ
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