The Norwegian research claims the eldest child will spend an extra year in education, compared to the third born child. The findings also indicate younger children are less likely to work full-time and will earn less. The study,conducted between 1986 to 2000. gathered information on everyone in Norway aged between 16 and 74.

Leader of the research, Professor Kjell Salvanes, said there was already considerable research into why first-born children enjoyed greater success. "The eldest child acts as a teacher for the younger children and learns how to organise information and present it to others." He added that different expectations from the parents and more limited resources for younger children could also lead to more time and money being spent on the eldest child.

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