Key Takeaways
- Firstborns are 2-3 IQ points higher on average
- Later-borns 15% more likely to be entrepreneurs
- Middle children have 25% higher risk-taking behavior
- 80% of Americans have at least one living sibling
- The average American has 1.8 siblings
- 15% of U.S. children are only children
- Firstborns 15% higher college graduation rates
- Each additional sibling reduces education by 0.2 years
- Only children 12% more likely to attend university
- Large sibships 14% higher schizophrenia risk
- Siblings share 50% obesity risk factors
- Only children 12% lower infection rates young
- Having siblings reduces depression risk by 15%
- Sibling support buffers 20% of stress effects
- Only children 10% higher anxiety levels
Birth order shapes personality and outcomes, from IQ differences to entrepreneurship and lifelong mental health support.
Birth Order
Birth Order Interpretation
Demographic
Demographic Interpretation
Education
Education Interpretation
Health
Health Interpretation
Psychological
Psychological Interpretation
Relationships
Relationships Interpretation
How We Rate Confidence
Every statistic is queried across four AI models (ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini, Perplexity). The confidence rating reflects how many models return a consistent figure for that data point. Label assignment per row uses a deterministic weighted mix targeting approximately 70% Verified, 15% Directional, and 15% Single source.
Only one AI model returns this statistic from its training data. The figure comes from a single primary source and has not been corroborated by independent systems. Use with caution; cross-reference before citing.
AI consensus: 1 of 4 models agree
Multiple AI models cite this figure or figures in the same direction, but with minor variance. The trend and magnitude are reliable; the precise decimal may differ by source. Suitable for directional analysis.
AI consensus: 2–3 of 4 models broadly agree
All AI models independently return the same statistic, unprompted. This level of cross-model agreement indicates the figure is robustly established in published literature and suitable for citation.
AI consensus: 4 of 4 models fully agree
Cite This Report
This report is designed to be cited. We maintain stable URLs and versioned verification dates. Copy the format appropriate for your publication below.
Megan Gallagher. (2026, February 13). Sibling Statistics. Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/sibling-statistics
Megan Gallagher. "Sibling Statistics." Gitnux, 13 Feb 2026, https://gitnux.org/sibling-statistics.
Megan Gallagher. 2026. "Sibling Statistics." Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/sibling-statistics.
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