RESEARCH BRIEFINGS15 July 2026The first longitudinal regional atlas of intergenerational educational mobility shows that the subnational regions of Europe in which individuals’ educational opportunities are least dependent on the educational background of their parents tend to have the most innovation, as shown by the number of patents.This is a summary of: McNamara, S. et al. Intergenerational mobility fosters innovation in Europe. Nature https://doi.org/10.1038/s41586-026-10736-9 (2026).Access optionsAccess Nature and 54 other Nature Portfolio journalsGet Nature+, our best-value online-access subscription27,99 € / 30 dayscancel any timeLearn moreSubscribe to this journalReceive 52 print issues and online access199,00 € per yearonly 3,83 € per issueLearn moreRent or buy this articlePrices vary by article typefrom$1.95to$39.95Learn morePrices may be subject to local taxes which are calculated during checkoutReferencesGalor, O. & Tsiddon, D. Am. Econ. Rev. 87, 363–382 (1997).Google Scholar Neidhöfer, G., Ciaschi, M., Gasparini, L. & Serrano, J. J. Econ. Growth 29, 327–359 (2024).Article Google Scholar Lehnert, P., Niederberger, M., Backes-Gellner, U. & Bettinger, E. PNAS Nexus 2, pgad099 (2023).Article Google Scholar Download references