Birth order influences academic achievement.

Is it true that birth order influences academic achievement?

Partly. Several small or single-population studies report a birth-order link to academic achievement (e.g., a Transkei pupil sample and a gifted-student sample), while a literature review and a 304-participant young-adult study found no direct relationship. The evidence is mixed and covers only particular samples, not a general effect.

Verdict: CONTESTED PARTIAL · 4 sources for, 2 against · Last checked 17 Oct 2026

The private library was unavailable for some searches in this check. Missing library results are not evidence against the claim.

Cherian, V. I. (1990). Birth Order and Academic Achievement of Children in Transkei. doi.org. https://doi.org/10.2466/pr0.1990.66.1.19

M., C. C. (1990). The Relationship between Birth Order and Academic Achievement.. eric.ed.gov. https://eric.ed.gov/?id=ED344668

Vazquez, N. E. & Others, A. (1976). The Effects of Family Size, Birth Order, Sibling Separation and Crowding on the Academic Achievement of Boys and Girls. eric.ed.gov. https://eric.ed.gov/?id=EJ161379

The Effects of Birth Order and Family Size on Academic Achievement, Divergent Thinking, and Problem Finding Among Gifted Students. (2020). doi.org. https://doi.org/10.31219/osf.io/uwbz6

Polit, D. F. & Falbo, T. (1988). The Intellectual Achievement of Only Children. doi.org. https://doi.org/10.1017/s0021932000006611

Birth order, achievement motivation, academic performance and locus of control in young adults. (2025). doi.org. https://doi.org/10.30574/wjarr.2025.26.1.1047