Neural precursor cells (NPCs) in the mammalian neocortex generate various neuronal and glial cell types in a developmental stage‐dependent manner. Most neocortical NPCs lose their neurogenic potential after birth. We have previously shown that high‐mobility group A (HMGA) proteins confer the neurogenic potential on early‐stage NPCs during the midgestation period, although the underlying mechanisms are not fully understood. In this study, we found that HMGA2 promotes the expression of insulin‐like growth factor 2 mRNA‐binding protein 2 (IMP2, Igf2bp2) in neocortical NPCs. The level of IMP2 was indeed high in early‐stage NPCs compared with that in late‐stage NPCs. Importantly, over‐expression of IMP2 increased the neurogenic potential and suppressed astrocytic differentiation of late‐stage NPCs, whereas knockdown of IMP2 promoted astrocytic differentiation and reduced the neurogenic potential of early‐stage neocortical NPCs without overtly affecting cell proliferation. Our results thus identified IMP2 as a developmental stage‐dependent regulator of the differentiation potentials of NPCs in the mouse neocortex.