Does Finnish educational equality extend to children of immigrants? Examining national origin, gender and the relative importance of parental resources

Abstract

This article examines the achievement of immigrants' children in schools in Finland at the end of compulsory education. Results suggest that differences between groups are relatively small after controlling for parental resources. However, parental education has a smaller effect and parental income a larger one for children of immigrants than the majority. This reveals a disadvantaged group with immigrant parents who have high education levels but low incomes. Gender differences are smaller among children of immigrants than the majority. This is partly due to girls from certain national origins being particularly disadvantaged by non-employed mothers. Overall, children of immigrants can be seen to benefit from the relatively equal Finnish education system while remaining disadvantaged by their parents' difficulties in the labour market.