Which Sibling Is Statistically More Successful?
Firstborns, Middle Kids, and Babies: Who Takes the Crown?
Let’s dive straight in: if we’re talking pure stats, firstborns often edge out their siblings in terms of career success and income. That’s not just folklore—there’s solid research backing it. A study from the University of Edinburgh, for instance, showed that firstborns tend to score higher on IQ tests. Weirdly enough, it’s not because they’re born smarter—but because they often get more mental stimulation in early childhood (think: solo time with parents, more responsibilities, etc.).
But hang on, that doesn’t mean middle and youngest siblings are doomed to mediocrity. Nope. It’s way more nuanced than that.
What Does “Success” Even Mean Here?
Financial vs. Social vs. Creative Success
Before you go checking your birth certificate with pride or dread, let’s be clear: success isn’t just about salary.
Financially, yes, firstborns slightly lead the race. One study from the Journal of Human Resources found they earn about 2.4% more on average.
Socially, though? Youngest siblings are often more extroverted, funny, and charming (hello, talk show hosts and comedians).
Creatively, middle children might have the edge—partly because they often have to carve out a unique identity in the family dynamic. They weren’t first, and they weren’t the “baby.” So they find their own lane.
See? It’s not just about climbing the corporate ladder. Success is a wild, twisty road.
The Role of Parenting (Yep, It Matters… a Lot)
Parents try to treat kids equally, but let’s be real—circumstances change. The first kid often gets stricter rules, more pressure, and more attention. That’s not favoritism; it’s inexperience. By the time kid #3 rolls in, parents are tired, wiser, and, yeah, a bit more relaxed.
Birth Order Stereotypes (That Might Actually Be Kinda True)
Firstborns: Responsible, achievement-driven, leaders. Often perfectionists.
Middle kids: Peacemakers, adaptable, often overlooked but super resilient.
Youngest: Risk-takers, free-spirited, attention-loving.
Now, are these always true? Heck no. I know a youngest sibling who runs a tech startup and a firstborn who still lives at home gaming full-time. But broadly speaking, trends exist for a reason.
Exceptions to the Rule: It’s Not All About Birth Order
Here’s the twist: gender, family size, cultural background, and even parental age can totally skew the outcome.
For example, in some cultures, the youngest son may inherit the family business. In others, daughters are pushed harder to succeed. So yeah, birth order is just one piece of a huge puzzle.
A Personal Story (Because Why Not?)
My buddy Sam is a middle child, and honestly? He’s the most successful guy I know. Runs a marketing agency, travels the world, somehow never seems stressed. He once told me: “Being in the middle taught me to adapt. I wasn’t the star, so I figured out how to shine on my own terms.” That stuck with me.
Final Thoughts: So... Who Wins?
Statistically speaking? Firstborns, by a narrow margin. They’re more likely to climb higher in traditional success metrics like income and education.
But life ain't a spreadsheet. Personality, passion, timing, and sheer luck play huge roles. So if you're the middle kid or the baby of the family, don’t sweat it. You might just be the next big thing—and with more laughs along the way.
How much height should a boy have to look attractive?
Well, fellas, worry no more, because a new study has revealed 5ft 8in is the ideal height for a man. Dating app Badoo has revealed the most right-swiped heights based on their users aged 18 to 30.
Is 172 cm good for a man?
Yes it is. Average height of male in India is 166.3 cm (i.e. 5 ft 5.5 inches) while for female it is 152.6 cm (i.e. 5 ft) approximately. So, as far as your question is concerned, aforesaid height is above average in both cases.
Is 165 cm normal for a 15 year old?
The predicted height for a female, based on your parents heights, is 155 to 165cm. Most 15 year old girls are nearly done growing. I was too. It's a very normal height for a girl.
Is 160 cm too tall for a 12 year old?
How Tall Should a 12 Year Old Be? We can only speak to national average heights here in North America, whereby, a 12 year old girl would be between 137 cm to 162 cm tall (4-1/2 to 5-1/3 feet). A 12 year old boy should be between 137 cm to 160 cm tall (4-1/2 to 5-1/4 feet).
How tall is a average 15 year old?
Average Height to Weight for Teenage Boys - 13 to 20 Years
| Male Teens: 13 - 20 Years) | ||
|---|---|---|
| 14 Years | 112.0 lb. (50.8 kg) | 64.5" (163.8 cm) |
| 15 Years | 123.5 lb. (56.02 kg) | 67.0" (170.1 cm) |
| 16 Years | 134.0 lb. (60.78 kg) | 68.3" (173.4 cm) |
| 17 Years | 142.0 lb. (64.41 kg) | 69.0" (175.2 cm) |
How to get taller at 18?
Staying physically active is even more essential from childhood to grow and improve overall health. But taking it up even in adulthood can help you add a few inches to your height. Strength-building exercises, yoga, jumping rope, and biking all can help to increase your flexibility and grow a few inches taller.
Is 5.7 a good height for a 15 year old boy?
Generally speaking, the average height for 15 year olds girls is 62.9 inches (or 159.7 cm). On the other hand, teen boys at the age of 15 have a much higher average height, which is 67.0 inches (or 170.1 cm).
Can you grow between 16 and 18?
Most girls stop growing taller by age 14 or 15. However, after their early teenage growth spurt, boys continue gaining height at a gradual pace until around 18. Note that some kids will stop growing earlier and others may keep growing a year or two more.
Can you grow 1 cm after 17?
Even with a healthy diet, most people's height won't increase after age 18 to 20. The graph below shows the rate of growth from birth to age 20. As you can see, the growth lines fall to zero between ages 18 and 20 ( 7 , 8 ). The reason why your height stops increasing is your bones, specifically your growth plates.