Year: 2025
Type: article
Study design: Observational Study
Abstract: Educational field choices shape careers, wellbeing and the societal skill distribution, yet genetic influences on what people study remain poorly understood. Here we show that genetic factors are associated with educational field specializations using genome-wide association studies (GWASs) across 463,134 individuals from Finland, Norway and the Netherlands (effective n between 40,072 and 317,209). We identified 17 independent genome-wide significant variants linked to 7 of 10 educational fields, with average heritability of 7%. The genetic signal is specific to field choice rather than educational level, persisting after controlling for years of schooling and confounding factors. By examining genetic clustering across specializations, we uncovered two key dimensions: technical versus social and practical versus abstract. We performed GWASs of these components and demonstrated distinct genetic correlations with personality, behavior and socioeconomic status. Our findings demonstrate that genomic research can illuminate 'horizontal' stratification, revealing insights into vocational interests and social sorting beyond traditional attainment measures.
Source: Nature Genetics
Institutions: Norwegian Institute of Public Health, University of Oslo, University of Helsinki, Institute for Molecular Medicine Finland, HiLIFE – Elämäntieteiden Instituutti, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam University Medical Centers, University of Amsterdam, Institute for Church, Religion, and Worldview Research, Lovisenberg Diakonale Sykehus, Harvard University, Massachusetts General Hospital
Language: English
Subfield: Genetics
Domain: Life Sciences
SDG: Quality education
Open Access status: hybrid
Estimated APC paid: $12,690
Funders: National Science Foundation, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Amsterdam University Medical Centers, European Commission, Ministerie van Volksgezondheid, Welzijn en Sport, Nederlandse Organisatie voor Wetenschappelijk Onderzoek, Helse- og Omsorgsdepartementet, Jacobs Foundation, Vetenskapsrådet, Universitair Medisch Centrum Groningen, Norges Forskningsråd, National Institutes of Health, HORIZON EUROPE Framework Programme, National Institute on Aging, H2020 European Research Council
Awards: G1274085498, G1317472089, G1416717560, G1457321001, G2079722205, G2230720350, G2241243765, G240382578, G2669053186, G293097480, G2957267872, G3048485306, G3051413233, G4019268957, G4171281698, Genetic Differences in the Causal Effect of Education Quantity and Quality on Cognitive Functioning and Dementia Diagnosis Later in Life, G5411279959, G5615981300, Socioeconomic gaps in language development and school achievement: Mechanisms of inequality and opportunity, G7193064738, Identifying critical stages of life and modifiable aspects of environment moderating genetic risks for unhealthy behaviors, G7617509975
OpenAlex ID: W4415849431