publication . Article . 1996

Wage Structure and Gender Earnings Differentials: an International Comparison

Name: Wage Structure and Gender Earnings Differentials: an International Comparison
Keywords: Economics and Econometrics

Lawrence M. Kahn; Francine D. Blau;

Open Access

Published: 01 Jan 1996 Journal: Economica, volume 63, issue 250 Suppl., pages 29-62

Summary

Abstract

Using microdata to analyze the gender pay gap in ten industrialized nations, the authors focus on the role of wage structure--the prices of labor market skills in influencing the gender gap. They find wage structure enormously important in explaining why the U.S. gender gap is higher than that in most other countries. The authors conclude that the U.S. gap would be similar to that in Sweden and Australia (the countries with the smallest gaps) if the United States had their levels of wage inequality. This finding reflects the larger penalty in the United States for those with low skill levels or employed in low-wage sectors. Copyright 1996 by The London School of...

doi: 10.2307/2554808

Subjects

free text keywords: Economics and Econometrics, Schools of economic thought, Income distribution, Population, education.field_of_study, education, Earnings, Labour economics, Gender pay gap, Wage, media_common.quotation_subject, media_common, Microdata (HTML), Economics, Inequality

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