A Macroeconomic Model of Ph.D. Enrollment with Income Risk and Non-Pecuniary Preferences

Author: Airi Hayama
Date: 2026/4/24
No: DP2026-008
JEL Classification codes: D15, E24, I22, I23, J24
Language: English
[ Abstract / Highlights ]

・Japan is experiencing a continuous decline in Ph.D. enrollment
・Develops a dynamic heterogeneous-agent model with non-pecuniary preference
・Heterogeneity in “academic taste” drives Ph.D. enrollment decisions
・Ignoring this heterogeneity overestimates the effects of financial aid
・Financial aid has a limited impact on Ph.D. enrollment