Using a unique survey of adults in Turkey, we find that an increase in
educational attainment, due to an exogenous secular education reform, decreased
women’s propensity to identify themselves as religious, lowered their tendency to wear
a religious head cover (head scarf, turban, or burka) and increased the tendency for
modernity. We also find that education has a negative impact on women’s propensity to
vote for Islamic parties. The effect of female education on religiosity is driven by those
who reside in urban areas. There is no statistically significant impact of education on
male religiosity and tendency to vote for Islamic parties. Increased education does not
influence the propensity to cast a vote in national elections for either men or women.

• Education, religion, and voter preference in a Muslim country