Does Eligibility for Tertiary Education Affect Crime Rates? Quasi-Experimental Evidence

Abstract

Objectives This paper estimates the effect of tertiary education eligibility on crime in Sweden. The hypothesis tested is that continuing to higher education decreases crime rates since it allows young people to escape inactivity and idleness, which are known to trigger crime. However, to qualify for tertiary education, individuals have to meet the eligibility requirements in upper-secondary school. Tertiary education eligibility may therefore affect crime rates.Methods This paper uses a panel data set of 287 Swedish municipalities over the period 1998-2010 to estimate the tertiary education eligibility effect on crime. However, estimating educational effects on crime is challenging, because investment in education is an endogenous decision. In Sweden, substantial grade inflation, increased tertiary education eligibility by more than 6% points between 1998 and 2003. Thus, since the eligibility increase is exogenous to the educational achievements of a student cohort, i.e. not accompanied by a corresponding knowledge increase, we can use the increase to identify the effect of tertiary education eligibility on crime.Results It is found that increasing the tertiary education eligibility rate decreases both property and violent crime substantially. ConclusionsThe results show that when young people have the opportunity to attend tertiary education, and thus escape unemployment or inactivity, their propensity to commit crime decreases.

Development and Crime Drop: A Time-Series Analysis of Crime Rates in Hong Kong in the Last Three Decades

“…Notably, the tertiary enrollment ratio (educational strength) is negatively related to all the three types of crime we address, namely, homicide, violent crime, and property crime. It is in parallel with previous findings that investments in tertiary education are associated with a substantial crime drop (Gonzalez, 2015; Nordin, 2018). The educational system can prevent or reduce crime by effectively monitoring the behavior of adolescents and young adults and by facilitating a strong commitment to their education and aspirations among students (LaFree, 1998).…”

Education Reduces Recidivism

“…The statistical data translate what this newfound hope means. The study shows that property crime rates were steadily decreasing from 2000 to 2010 by 30 percent (Nordin, 2018). The national standardized test showed no increase in knowledge during this time frame (Nordin, 2018).…”

“…The study shows that property crime rates were steadily decreasing from 2000 to 2010 by 30 percent (Nordin, 2018). The national standardized test showed no increase in knowledge during this time frame (Nordin, 2018). The study concludes that when people have the opportunity to attend post-secondary education and escape unemployment or inactivity, the inclination to commit crime decreases (Nordin, 2018).…”

“…The change caused inflation in grades and increased the proportion of students who were eligible for post-secondary education. Higher education positively impacts the qualified individuals' future working life (Nordin, 2018). The statistical data translate what this newfound hope means.…”

“…In Sweden, a study was done on how the eligibility for trade or college education, which is identified as tertiary (post-secondary) education, affects crime rates. The original hypothesis tested is that continuing to higher education decreases crime rates since it allows young people to escape inactivity and idleness, triggering a crime (Nordin, 2018). Without giving an exact reason, the study talks about the negative impact unemployment has on crime.…”