The educational and occupational aspirations of Belgian students: what role for gender? An analysis based on individual data from PISA 2018

This thesis considers educational and occupational aspirations, primarily, because of the role they play in the gender wage gap. The objectives of this research are twofold. First, it investigates the determinants of aspirations and the role of gender in aspirations. Second, it evaluates the alignment of educational performances and aspirations and the role of gender in it. After a review of the literature, I formulate two hypotheses related to the objectives of my research. Using data for Belgium from PISA 2018, I performed descriptive and econometric analysis on educational and occupational aspirations to check my hypotheses. My analysis shows mixed results for the relationships between the different determinants and aspirations. While the results confirm the unalignment of performance and aspirations. However, the role of gender is not the one I expected as performance is more important in aspirations for girls. Finally, I recommend reinforced efforts on gender equality in terms of aspirations.