Birth Order and Selection for University Education in Kenya

Abstract

The representation of firstborns among 1,293 (650 women, 643 men) university freshmen in Kenya (M age = 20.8 yr., SD = 1.9) was explored. In a situation where university admission is very competitive, it was hypothesized that firstborns would be numerically more represented than later borns. The results indicated (a) an overall preponderance of the firstborns (20%), (b) only children and lastborns were the least represented groups at 1 and 5%, respectively, and (c) firstborns tended to come from relatively smaller families than the later borns. The findings were discussed in relation to previous studies, family size, and implications for future research in a subsistence society.