New research shows individual's salary in UK connected to parents education

The Institute of Education, which is part of the University of London, recently carried out research indicating that you are more likely to be earning a high salary if your parents previously went to university. The international study primarily focused on men, gathering information about their personal background and current salaries from 40,000 men who are aged between 25 and 59, across 24 countries. Within the UK, the report signified a strong correlation between parents' levels of education and their child's salary. Dr John Jerrim, who is one of the authors of the report, stated that "it is also reasonable to assume that the sons and daughters of families with greater financial resources may be given more time to find a suitable job than those from less advantaged backgrounds."

The report also indicated a 50% wage gap between parents who went to university, and those that didn't. Interestingly, Norway and Sweden have a significantly lower wage gap, with parents earning just 15% more then those that did not attend higher education at all. Furthermore, those from privileged backgrounds are eight times more likely to obtain a degree then those from poorer backgrounds as opposed to in Sweden: one is just four times as likely.

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