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

Author: Airi Hayama
Date: 2026/10/26 (First edition: 2026/4/24)
No: DP2026-023
JEL Classification codes: D15, E24, I22, I23, J24
Language: English
[ Abstract / Highlights ]

・Japan is expanding doctoral financial aid amid declining Ph.D. enrollment.
・Models Ph.D. enrollment decisions with heterogeneous “academic taste.”
・Heterogeneity in “academic taste” drives Ph.D. enrollment decisions.
・Ignoring this heterogeneity overestimates the effects of financial aid.
・At equal cost, financial aid raises enrollment more; income insurance raises welfare more.