For many years, studies have shown that birth order affects personality, but new research confirms that whether you’re an older, middle or younger child bears an impact on career path too.
The new study by Disney has been released to mark National Sibling Day (10 April) and commemorate the relationship between sisters Elsa and Anna in the Disney hit Frozen.
Led by psychologist Emma Kenny, the researchers found significant evidence to support the theory that birth order has a tangible and marked effect on career paths.
In order to reach their conclusions, a team of statisticians analysed a random sample of over 500 of the most successful individuals from 11 different career groups to identify statistically significant patterns.
One of the most clear findings was that middle children are 30 per cent more likely to become company CEOs than their siblings.
The researchers suggested that this could be because having to fight for attention results in middle children developing personality traits such as competitiveness, flexibility and diplomacy, which then makes them suited to high-flying roles which require tactful thinking and high levels of management.
Mark Zuckerberg, Lord Alan Sugar and Bill Gates are all middle children.
In encouraging news for middle children across the world, the study also found that they’re 41 per cent more likely to be Olympic athletes.
“The research conducted over the last month has shown that birth order is a significant factor in determining employment role types between siblings – overall there are far more typical cases than exceptions,” Kenny explains.
Interestingly, the researchers found that the majority of astronauts are first-born children – Buzz Aldrin and Neil Armstrong are prime examples.
Eldest children are also most likely to become scientists or engineers like Stephen Hawking and Tim Berners Lee.
Youngest children like Johann Sebastian Bach and Mozart were found to be 50 per cent more likely to have careers in classical music, possibly for their “sensitive and idealistic personality traits,” the researchers suggest.
As for only children, the study suggests they’re more likely to become artists due to their “perfectionist and mature personality traits.”
