Joonas Tuhkuri publishes in the Journal of Labor Economics
Extraversion is becoming increasingly valuable in the labor market, according to new research by Joonas Tuhkuri at Stockholm University and Ramin Izadi at the VATT Institute for Economic Research.
Joonas Tuhkuri is an Assistant Professor in Economics at Stockholm University.
The researchers have analyzed how psychological traits shape people’s incomes and success on the labor market, drawing on data from half a million Finnish men from 2001 to 2015.
The findings show that cognitive skills, for example logical thinking and problem-solving, have become less valuable in the labor market. In contrast, noncognitive skills, such as social abilities, have become more important, especially for people with lower levels of education and in low-paying jobs.
“We also show that extraversion predicts lower education and school performance. The big picture is that the economic returns to skills may have changed. These results provide evidence to help policymakers and society consider which skills could be valuable for the future of work,” says Joonas Tuhkuri.
about the study and Joonas Tuhkuri
Find the study in the Journal of Labor Economics:
Beyond IQ: The Rising Value of Extraversion
Joonas Tuhkuri is an Assistant Professor in Economics at Stockholm University. His research focuses on technology, work, and psychology. Read more here:
Last updated: 2026-09-20
Source: Department of Economics