Does month of birth affect individual health and educational attainment in Iceland?

We explored the relationship between month of birth and later outcomes; self-assessed health and years of schooling using ordered probit models with Icelandic data. Results did not confirm an association between month of birth and later outcomes at traditional levels of significance. However, examination of point estimates revealed a relationship that is somewhat consistent with results from the United States, where those born in the first quarter of the year have less educational attainment than those born in other quarters of the year. Of the four possible mechanisms considered, parent's socioeconomic status is most likely to affect the relationship under study. Future research should explore family background further using data with greater statistical power.