Fabian’s thesis “Essays on Labor Economics and Social Dynamics” offers eye-opening insights into how your coworkers, educational background, and even historical weather patterns can shape your achievements.
Fabian's research uncovers various factors that significantly influence individual success and societal equity. His analysis of the Swedish workforce shows that coworker quality accounts for 10% of income variation, with higher education benefiting both individuals and their peers. Historical data on women’s roles reveal a rise in self-made women from the 17th century onward, shaping gender dynamics today. Environmental conditions, like harsh winters in early life, can hinder future achievements by limiting education and earnings. Fabian also presents the Human Biographical Record (HBR), a comprehensive dataset of notable figures, and introduces "social inclusion" as a new measure for understanding equality of opportunity. Finally, he identifies disparities in the adoption of medical innovations in Sweden, with wealthier hospitals adopting new treatments faster, highlighting the need for equitable access to improve health outcomes. Together, these findings emphasize the importance of addressing systemic factors to foster greater societal progress.
Peter Frediksson from Uppsala University kindly acted as opponent.
Want to learn more about Fabian’s thesis? Click below to read it in its entirety.
